LeBron James may not have been seated for the Luka Doncic extension press conference with the LA Lakers, but he made his feelings on the matter clear.
Luka Doncic is going to be a fixture for the Los Angeles Lakers for years to come. After a turbulent summer, the Lakers signed Luka Doncic to a $165 million extension.
Even though there were doubts about it happening, Doncic and the Lakers had an agreement in place for months.
In the long run, Doncic’s contract is a blessing compared to Anthony Davis’, whom the Lakers traded to land the Slovenian superstar in the first place.
In typical Hollywood fashion, the Lakers made Doncic’s re-signing and press conference an event. In fact, Lakers owner Mark Walter gifted Doncic a trip to the Backstreet Boys concert in Las Vegas.
Several LA Lakers teammates were present for the press conference and the subsequent concert trip. But one notable name was absent. LeBron James did not take part in the proceedings.
Marc Stein put out a comprehensive report about the Luka Doncic extension with the LA Lakers. When it comes to LeBron James, the legendary superstar was reportedly not in attendance for the event.
However, that is not a sign of any tension between the two stars. Stein reported that James called Doncic to congratulate him on his new deal.
Austin Reaves also missed the event, as he is promoting his shoe line in Asia currently.
“LeBron and son Bronny James were noticeably not in attendance at the news conference, but I’m told that LeBron FaceTimed Dončić on Saturday morning to congratulate him on the new deal.”
“Austin Reaves, meanwhile, is currently away in Asia on a promotional sneaker tour for his Rigorer signature shoe.”
Despite the friction between the LA Lakers and LeBron James recently, it appears that it hasn’t changed the dynamic between James and Doncic.
The Lakers have made it very clear where they stand when it comes to Luka Doncic. But the way they’re handling the LeBron James situation is quite a bad look.
The Lakers didn’t inform LeBron James of their sale to Mark Walter. However, they did give Luka Doncic the heads up before the transaction.
James is in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, after activating his $52.6 million player option.
And as things stand, the Lakers plan to let James walk in free agency. Given what James has done for the franchise, that feels like a disrespectful end to his tenure.
Hopefully, if the Lakers are planning on this being James’ final season with the team, they can give him a proper send-off.
