As Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James and Luka Dončić approach their first full season as teammates, skepticism remains about whether they can maximize each other’s strengths. Among those voicing doubts is former 11-year NBA veteran Austin Rivers, who foresees James experiencing difficulty navigating a novel situation in Year 23.
LA went 15-8 when James and Dončić suited up together last season after the latter was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline. The team was plus-3.4 points per 100 possessions better with the versatile duo on the court. Still, the Lakers won just one 2025 playoff outing, falling in five games to the lower-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in Round 1.
As James continues to defy Father Time, he and Dončić, both elite playmakers and go-to scorers, face the complex task of forging a winning one-two dynamic.
Austin Rivers Questions LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Fit
On the August 26 edition of “Off Guard with Austin Rivers,” Rivers first made it clear that he isn’t a “LeBron hater,” contrary to popular belief. After doing so, he expressed reservations about James’ willingness to defer to Dončić full-time.
The former Los Angeles Clipper suggested that, while James may say otherwise publicly, he isn’t content with playing second fiddle.
“I don’t like the fit with him and Luka,” Rivers began. “LeBron still wants it to be his show. Luka’s just too good of a guy for it not to be his show. It worked with Kyrie [Irving]. Kyrie accepted Luka as the best player. He was the Batman to his Robin. Who is the Robin in this situation? Now, LeBron is a strategic mastermind and will come out and say, ‘I am.’ We both know that’s not true, Bron.”
Rivers continued by empathizing with James, outlining how difficult it is for role players to accept fewer touches, let alone an all-time great.
“I don’t blame him. I used to get mad at James Harden for not passing me the ball, and I averaged eight points,” Rivers quipped. “I can only imagine if I was the all-time leading scorer in basketball history. I’d probably be like, ‘Get out of the way,’ and he’s arguably the greatest player to ever touch a basketball.”
As such, Rivers expects creative friction between James and Dončić to persist throughout the 2025–26 campaign as the Lakers’ Dončić era kicks into full gear.
“At this point in [James’] career, in Year 22, 23, whatever it is, and Luka entering his prime, I think it’s pivotal that Luka has a running mate that knows how to play with him,” Rivers said. “… I have never seen LeBron be on a team and be the second option. I’ve seen him say he wants to be … this is different.”
While James will turn 41 in December, Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka stressed late last month that he’s trying to “build a real team” around him and Dončić. The franchise already fortified its center position and added two-way backcourt grit this offseason by signing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.
Even so, James and Dončić’s ability to manage their delicate power balance could make or break LA’s 2026 title hopes.