The NBA’s trade season always brings some curveballs, and Luka Doncic just caught a big one. On tuesday, Pat McAfee lit up X with a gem of a quote from LeBron James, shedding light on how the Lakers superstar reached out to the Slovenian sensation after his unexpected trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
McAfee, host of The Pat McAfee Show, posted, “Luka Doncic committed to a franchise for seven years and that was his comfort.. Out of nowhere you get traded and that’s a shock to your system.. I had to let him know that we’ll figure it out because we need him to be who he is” ~ @KingJames. It’s a peek into LeBron’s leadership-and a wild twist for hoops fans.
LeBron James opens up about Luka Doncic trade shock and their instant chemistry on the Lakers
Doncic, 26, had been the Mavericks‘ cornerstone since 2018, dazzling with 32.4 points per game in 2024-25 before the bombshell trade to the Lakers dropped on March 20, per ESPN. Seven years of loyalty, flipped overnight-talk about a gut punch. LeBron, no stranger to big moves himself, saw the shake-up and stepped in.
“I had to let him know that we’ll figure it out,” he said, per McAfee’s post, offering a vet’s reassurance to a guy whose world just got rocked. X users are eating it up-one fan posted, “LeBron playing big bro to Luka? This duo’s gonna be insane.”
Luka’s system shock: LeBron’s wisdom shines in McAfee post
The Lakers, sitting at 28-15 before the trade, snagged Doncic to pair with Anthony Davis, sending shockwaves through the league. LeBron, at 40, knows the clock’s ticking on his title window, and he’s betting on Luka’s magic-28 triple-doubles last season say it’s a solid bet.
“We need him to be who he is,” James added, a nod to Doncic’s MVP-caliber flair that’s got Staples Center buzzing already. McAfee’s X drop has racked up thousands of likes, with fans hyping the mentorship angle.
Doncic’s trade-rumored to involve D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and picks-blindsided Mavs faithful, but LeBron’s words hint at a smooth landing. “Out of nowhere you get traded and that’s a shock to your system,” he said, per McAfee, nailing the emotional whiplash. Lakers Nation’s dreaming of banners, while X debates if Luka’s playmaking can mesh with LeBron’s vibe.
