Over six years ago during his media day as a rookie for the 2018-19 season, Luka Doncic expressed that LeBron James was his idol and favorite player during his childhood.

Nearly three years back, after being asked about his favorite player ever on social media, James responded with “LUKA. He’s my fav player!!” Following a Dallas game at the onset of the 2019 season, James described Doncic’s performance as “a beautiful thing to watch.”

Until Saturday, many believed that pairing them together was impossible—there was no way the Dallas Mavericks would part with Doncic, right? However, in an unexpected turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a shocking trade that brought Doncic to LA, sending Anthony Davis to Dallas as part of a three-way deal involving Utah, additional role players, and draft picks.

Major trades like this one, considered among the most significant in NBA history, often come out of nowhere. In this instance, James himself was caught off guard; he was at a post-game dinner in New York when he was informed of the trade by team officials after it had been finalized, a source familiar with the situation disclosed to YSL News Sports, requesting anonymity to speak candidly.

For the foreseeable future, James and Doncic will be teammates, showcasing their mutual admiration at least through the remainder of this season.

The trade comes during a turbulent phase in the NBA, where historic dynasties are fading into an era of parity due to a new collective-bargaining agreement that limits teams from acquiring more than two All-NBA caliber players. Additionally, the prominent figures of the league, including James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, are nearing retirement.

James is still processing the implications of this trade, and his true feelings remain unclear. Is he upset that the Lakers didn’t keep him informed about a deal sending his good friend to another team? Or is he excited about the opportunity to play alongside Doncic? We’ll find out in time.

James and Davis developed a close friendship over 12 years ago when Davis was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2012 following his freshman year at Kentucky, and they played together on the U.S. Olympic team. Over the years, their bond strengthened; both share the same agent, Rich Paul from Klutch Sports, and Davis later joined James in the Lakers in 2019, leading to a championship win in 2020 and a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What does this mean for James and the Lakers? Last year at the All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, James addressed a question regarding his future with the team.

“I am a Laker, and I am happy and have been really happy being a Laker these last six years, and I hope it stays that way,” James said. “But I don’t know how long it will last, or what uniform I’ll wear. Hopefully, it’s with the Lakers. They are a fantastic organization filled with so many greats.”

The 40-year-old James – an All-Star starter for a record 21st consecutive time in 2025 – signed a two-year, $101.3 million contract last summer. However, he holds a player option for the 2025-26 season, allowing him to become a free agent again this summer. He could sign a short-term deal with the Lakers, look to play for another team, or even retire. It’s worth noting that his son, Bronny, is now playing for both the Lakers and their G League team, and James cherishes the chance to bond with his eldest son.

Retirement is a possibility on the horizon.

“I haven’t planned exactly how many more seasons I have left. I know it’s not many. I was asked recently if I will take a farewell tour or if I’ll just follow the Tim Duncan route.”

“Honestly, I’m torn. There are moments when I feel I should give my fans, who have supported me over two decades, the chance to celebrate me in every city, which sounds nice.

“On the other hand, I’m not great at handling praise. It feels strange to me; I haven’t discussed it much because it’s just an odd feeling. So, going to every city—I just don’t know. I’ve seen Michael Jordan’s and Kobe Bryant’s farewells. I just don’t know how I would react to something like that. Maybe it’s just my personality.”

Some of James’ close associates are suggesting he should announce his final season so fans can have the chance to watch him play live one last time.

Additionally, the Lakers may still pursue more trades. They only gave up one first-round pick in the Doncic-Davis deal and possess another first-rounder available for a potential trade before Thursday’s deadline. Could they acquire a defensive-focused big man to bolster their title aspirations and reignite James’ motivation to continue playing for a few more seasons?

In the star-studded realm of Hollywood, the Lakers have long been a team centered around superstars. With one of the greatest players of all time nearing the end of his career and a promising five-time All-NBA player who is just entering his prime, the dynamics of the team are captivating and the subsequent questions could have wide-ranging impacts across the league.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt