Luka Dončić says it 'feels great' to be the leader of the Lakers following LeBron James' exit

A surprising trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025 upended all of that. With LeBron James in town, Dončić had to adapt to a new role. He may have still been the best player on his team, but James was the captain of the ship.

With James now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers , Dončić said it "feels great" to assume his old role and take over as the Lakers' leader.

Dončić's comment was probably not meant to be a dig at James, as the two seemingly got along very well with the Lakers. It was likely more a comment on Dončić feeling comfortable as a team leader, a role he filled for years with the Mavericks.