LeBron James makes shocking announcement about Luka Doncic's new Lakers contract

Drew Bishop

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LeBron James makes shocking announcement about Luka Doncic's new Lakers contract image

There's a big decision coming for Luka Doncic and the Lakers this offseason. 

LeBron James wants no part of it. 

Doncic has one year remaining on his current deal before he would be eligible for free agency in 2026. This puts pressure on the Lakers' front office to ink the Slovenian to an extension before next season begins. 

Fans and analysts have long theorized that 'King James' is the silent general manager for the Lakers and many of the other teams he's played for in the past. But every time he has the chance, the superstar refutes those claims. 

The 40-year-old was asked recently about what role he will play in Doncic potentially resigning in Los Angeles. He sharply stated that he won't play a role in the negotiations.

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It's an honest moment from LeBron, who acknowledges that he and Doncic are on separate timelines as players. Luka is a piece for the future, while James is entering his 23rd season in the NBA. 

This comes after a midseason trade for Doncic and a disappointing end to the season where the Lakers fell in the first round to the Timberwolves.

LeBron's situation is also fluid. He has a $52.6 million player-option to decide on for the 2025-26 season. The likelihood is that James will opt out and renegotiate another short-term deal with the Lakers in free agency. 

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Doncic could be eligible for a three-year extension worth up to $165 million. Because he was traded, the former Maverick missed out an additional $116 million he could've earned with Dallas in a supermax extension. 

The Lakers want to win now with James and set themselves up for years to come, but with these great talents come expensive paychecks. 

There's a lot of moving parts for Los Angeles this offseason, but LeBron's recent announcement shows his focus is on the present, not the future.

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Drew Bishop

Drew Bishop is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. After graduating from the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, he worked in local media in Sandusky, Ohio at BCSN and the Sandusky Register, freelancing as a reporter, broadcast director and play-by-play commentator for high school sports. He then moved on to KRIS 6 News where he serves as a producer in the news department.