Doubts. Questions. So many what-ifs. So many whatnots. Yet, here we are, witnessing history in the making. LeBron James has played with almost 35% of the NBA players. He has already set a record, one that won’t be broken anytime soon. But whoever thought Luka Doncic would team up with him? Well, All-Stars make sense, but as franchise teammates? Oh, boy! That surely came out of the blue!

NBA fans will forever remember February 2 as the ‘Day of Shock.’ Well, many suspected Luka Doncic’s trade from the Mavericks to LA. How’s Luka going to fit in? He was destined to become a Mavs legend. How will he work around LeBron? But now, after almost 2 months, you can say that the 26-year-old Slovenian Sensation might be the right key. However, can the Lakers truly forget Anthony Davis?

LeBron James makes an honest confession about Anthony Davis’ trade

Recently, the Akron Hammer graced The Pat McAfee Show, and he opened up about being teammates with Luka. There was a clip that went viral recently where Doncic made a basket from the tunnel during the pre-game workout. Watching that clip with McAfee during the LeBronversation, the Chosen One said: “His name is Luka Magic for a reason.” Well, honestly, Luka pulled off a serious Stephen Curry-level move. But whoever said that no one but Curry could do such things?

Meanwhile, the 40-year-old couldn’t skip the conversation without talking about his close friend and ex-teammate, Anthony Davis. Speaking about trades, LeBron James honestly admitted that he couldn’t relate to Luka or AD because no team has ever traded him. He admits that a sudden trade shocks the system. This makes sense because you’re comfortable in your daily routine; you see the same faces and go through the same hallways, gyms, and everything.

So now, in Doncic’s case, “He has to fit out,” while the Los Angeles Lakers figure out how to incorporate him better. That being said, LeBron James hinted that Anthony Davis left a void on his way to Dallas. “I lost a dear friend and a great friend, a champion, you know, do over AD, you know, miss him to death,” James Sr. admitted.

But that’s the thing about the NBA—it never stops. One chapter closes, and another begins. LeBron may be missing AD, but he can’t dwell on the past. Not when the present demands his focus. And right now, that means figuring out Luka. His talent is undeniable, but is his mindset ready for this? LeBron James knows better than anyone—greatness isn’t just about skill. It’s about mentality. So, where does Luka stand?

LeBron James weighs in on Luka Doncic’s mental toughness

Trades are never easy, especially when the player becomes a fan’s favorite. In Luka Doncic‘s case, Dallas has yet to move on from the shock of February 2. He was their homeboy, the only hope for a championship dream. He was stripped of his joy and sent to LA. Therefore, LeBron James, who hasn’t experienced the mental toll that comes with a sudden trade, can barely fit himself into Luka’s shoes. Yet he understands how it shakes a player’s sense of stability and forces them into an entirely new reality.

“I can have a sense and be a human being to know you commit to a franchise for seven years, and you feel like, you know, this is the place wrong to be,” the Akron Hammer confessed. For Luka, leaving the Mavericks after seven years wasn’t just a professional shift; it was a complete upheaval of everything he had built. Adjusting isn’t just about learning new plays or fitting into a new system—it’s about finding comfort in an unfamiliar place while still performing at an elite level.

LeBron further added: “Even though he (Luka Doncic) was ready to play. That moment, I feel like, that had to be said. Because he is still that guy, for us to reach our potential. He has to be that guy; he has to.” James made it clear—Luka can’t just fit in, he has to fit out. The Lakers will adjust, but Luka must embrace his role. This isn’t just about skill; it’s about mindset. He has to rise above the noise, block out the doubts, and own his greatness. If the Lakers want it all, Luka has to lead the charge.

The past is gone, and the future is unwritten. LeBron James may miss AD, but the mission stays the same: win a championship. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic has the talent, but does he have the mindset? That’s the real test. Can he change the Lakers’ trajectory? Only time will tell.