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[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers believe they have a plan to help Luka Doncic overcome a major concern that reportedly factored into the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade him.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are banking on LeBron James serving as a mentor for Doncic, helping him develop better habits on and off the court. This mentorship is one reason the Lakers have no intention of trading James.
“The relationship between (James) and Luka Doncic is something I’m definitely going to keep an eye on,” Charania said on *NBA Today*. “The Lakers want LeBron James to be a mentor of sorts—someone that can help Luka Doncic continue to develop, develop the right habits, develop everything on and off the court.”
One of the reported reasons the Mavericks were willing to move on from Doncic was long-term concerns about his conditioning—an issue that has followed him for years. Meanwhile, James, even at 40, remains in peak physical shape due to his legendary dedication to fitness. The Lakers hope that James’ influence will push Doncic to adopt a similar approach.
Doncic has other challenges the Lakers will need to navigate, but if any player can set the right example, it’s LeBron. That’s the bet the Lakers are making.