{"id":86790,"date":"2025-08-07T11:09:48","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T11:09:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=86790"},"modified":"2025-08-07T11:09:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T11:09:48","slug":"lebron-james-makes-call-to-superstar-teammate-right-after-signing-contract-extension-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=86790","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James Makes Call to Superstar Teammate Right After Signing Contract Extension (Report)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Luka Doncic , LeBron James and the Lakers take on the Rockets on NBA TV on Friday night. (AP Photo\/LM Otero)AP<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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While LeBron James\u2019 future with the Los Angeles Lakers remains murky, he made sure to show his love for teammate Luka Don\u010di\u0107 after the Slovenian extended his contract with the club.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0ESPN\u2019s Dave McMenamin, James got on a video call with Don\u010di\u0107 right after the 26-year-old signed his three-year, $165 million extension. Throughout the years, both players have expressed their admiration for each other and in February, the duo united after a\u00a0blockbuster trade between the Laker and the Dallas Mavericks.<\/p>\n

The two main questions after the acquisition were whether Don\u010di\u0107 was going to sign an extension, and how he and James would fit together.<\/p>\n

While they did not dominate their postseason play, falling to Minnesota in the first round, the Lakers did go 16-7 in the regular season when the duo played together and earned the third seed in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

After they were eliminated, James made it clear he wanted to see Don\u010di\u0107 in the purple and gold long term.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaker fans (expletive) love him here,\u201d James told ESPN. \u201cL.A. has accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. But ultimately, he\u2019s got to make a decision for him. (Expletive), I ain\u2019t going to be around much longer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

While James may have been referencing his future retirement with that quote, the last couple of months put his direct future with the Lakers up in the air.<\/p>\n

In late June, the 40-year-old\u00a0opted into his $52.6 million player option for next year, but at the same time, his agent Rich Paul released a somewhat cryptic statement about James\u2019 future and that of the Lakers with Don\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeBron wants to compete for a championship,\u201d Paul told ESPN. \u201cHe knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we\u2019ve had for eight years with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what\u2019s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what\u2019s best for him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Since he opted into his deal and that statement was released, James hasn\u2019t been present for all team activities. Most recently, when the Lakers hosted a press conference for Don\u010di\u0107 after the extension was signed, James \u201cwas not among the half-dozen teammates to attend,\u201d according to McMenamin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Luka Doncic , LeBron James and the Lakers take on the Rockets on NBA TV on Friday night. 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