Since 2018, most people have associated the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James, their superstar player. He deserved to get that distinction because he was the biggest name on one of the league’s most popular teams.
He ended his eight-year stint with the Lakers with a mixed record, but he still led them to a championship in 2020 during the NBA Bubble, one of the most competitive times for NBA teams.
Luka Doncic is ready to succeed LeBron James as the Lakers’ star
Luka Doncic joined the Lakers via trade midway through the 2024-25 season. It was a major trade by the Lakers because it secured them a true superstar for the long-term future. It assured them that they won’t drop off if James either leaves or retires.
James decided to leave the team in free agency in the 2026 offseason. While it is a major exit, it does not seem to be a major loss for the Lakers because they know they can trust Doncic to carry the torch forward.
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Doncic himself seems to embrace the pressure that comes with being the Lakers’ star. He got the co-sign from James, so it seems that he is ready to assume his role as the superstar who the team will build around.
“I reached out to him. Thank you for everything. Obviously, it was amazing being his teammate. Learned so many things. They’re gonna say it’s a lot more pressure, but it’s not really pressure; it’s an honor,” Doncic said to Sports Illustrated about embracing the role as the Lakers’ superstar.
Now, Doncic enters the 2026-27 season with the pressure of being the superstar. However, it seems that he is naturally taking that role without issues because he is ready to keep fighting as the star player.
