LeBron James hopes Luka Dončić stays with Lakers long-term

With Luka Dončić being extension-eligible this summer, LeBron James hopes he commits to the Lakers.

Now that the Lakers’ season is done, the focus quickly pivots to the offseason and how the team will improve this roster for a better 2025-26 season.

While Los Angeles has clear holes in its roster, especially at the center position, the biggest question is what Luka Dončić will do regarding his contract situation.

He has a player option for the 2026-27 season, but can sign an extension on Aug. 2. While it’s “widely expected” that Luka will sign a long-term contract with the Lakers, until he does, anything is possible.

In a recent article by Dave McMenamin of ESPN, LeBron made it clear that while he won’t try to convince Luka to stay in Los Angeles, he hopes he remains a Laker long term.

“No, that ain’t my job,” James told ESPN. “I think ... I don’t think, I know, Luka knows how I feel about him. And ultimately, that trade happened for the future. That’s not for me. Luka has to decide what he has to do with his future. He’s [26] years old, I’m 40, so he can’t be basing his career off me. That’s just real.

“But I hope, obviously, [he stays long term]. Laker fans f---ing love him here. L.A. has accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. But ultimately, he’s got to make a decision for him. S---, I ain’t going to be around much longer.”

While Luka clearly has many more years in front of him than LeBron, it’s always good when the top two players get along and are on the same page about playing together.

From allowing him to be the last player announced during starting lineups during his Lakers debut and return to Dallas to every word he’s given to the media regarding the young superstar, LeBron has done nothing but embrace Luka since he arrived in Los Angeles.

Still, as LeBron himself acknowledges, this is his decision, and while he didn’t choose to be a Laker, he now has control over whether he will be one for years and years.

Lakers fans want that, and the biggest star in Los Angeles hopes it happens. On Aug. 2, we’ll find out if Luka is thinking the same thing and signs an extension.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.