LeBron James and Luka Doncic have had very different offseasons ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
On one hand, Luka Doncic has gone through an insane transformation that has Los Angeles Lakers fans over the moon as the 26-year-old is expected to sign a long-term extension soon.
While Doncic continues to win the hearts of the Laker Nation, trade rumors have continuously surrounded LeBron James since opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Although there’s no clarity over James’ future in LA beyond the upcoming season, NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins became the bearer of good news about the King, in at least one department.
James will soon enter the 23rd season of his NBA career. That’s a tough enough feat in itself, so seeing his name brought up in trade rumors day in and day out must have had some negative impact on LBJ.
However, Perkins thinks that Doncic’s recent lean pictures have motivated the 4x NBA champion. Perkins referenced LeBron’s recent late-night workout pictures on social media to bolster his point.
“Luka Doncic just motivated LeBron James, I saw, as soon as the pictures, videos went viral and s___ on the internet, all of a sudden, LeBron back in the lab, the old man back in the lab,” Perkins said on the Road Trippin’ podcast.
Perkins added: “He’s always in the lab, but he had to post and let y’all know that. Let the world know that he was in the lab.”
Despite rumors of the Lakers potentially moving on from James due to Doncic’s arrival, Perkins believes the 40-year-old is motivated by that.
The Lakers have made multiple moves this offseason to bolster their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Perkins believes the signings of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, in particular, have elevated the Purple and Gold to ‘legit title contender’ status for next season.
“And the Lakers are legit title contenders. I love the moves that they made, going and getting Deandre Ayton and going and getting Marcus Smart,” the ESPN analyst concluded.
While every player will need to bring their A-game to the table to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Ayton arguably has the most to prove.
After all, the former No. 1 overall pick has developed a lackluster reputation in recent years.
