LeBron James excited to team up with Luka Doncic

NBA star LeBron James expressed his excitement about joining forces with Luka Doncic on the Los Angeles Lakers following the stunning trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic was officially unveiled by the Lakers on Tuesday, a move that has rocked the basketball world.

James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer who learned of the trade late Saturday, acknowledged the emotional challenge of parting ways with Davis, his teammate and friend for six years, with whom he won a championship. “It’s been a whirlwind,” James said after the Lakers’ victory over the Clippers.

“It’s been challenging for sure, you know, especially for me. I had six years with AD, and won a championship with my guy, one of my best friends, obviously. But you know it’s a business, and you understand that. It’s the business of basketball. We understand that.”

However, James’s focus quickly shifted to the potential of playing alongside Doncic.

Read also: LeBron James reflects on NBA longevity, plans to retire as a Laker

“It’s going to be special,” James said. “We’re gonna attract a lot of eyes. Obviously, our ability to score, rebound and pass — it’s gonna make it a lot easier on our teammates, and that’s all we want to do.

“We want to be able to create opportunities for our teammates where they only have to catch, finish, catch dunk, catch, and shoot, and it’s our job to lead them every single night.

“Listen, Luka is a big-time player 25 years old, hasn’t even reached his prime yet, and he’s done some amazing stuff in our league already. I’m happy to have him. And LA is happy to have him. It’s still a little bit surreal, to be honest.”

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka indicated that Doncic, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since December 25, could make his Lakers debut soon. Reports suggest he might be ready to play against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.