Amid Kyrie Irving’s Demands for Blockbuster Trade, LeBron James Flattering Luka Doncic For $38.6 Billion Company Resurfaces

Considering his never-say attitude and desperation to win, LeBron James will be disappointed by the way the Nuggets ended the LA Lakers’ season. After rumors of him considering retirement, the Dallas Mavericks have emerged as a surprise landing spot for James. Bleacher Report claimed that Kyrie Irving wants the Mavericks to sign James to form an eye-watering big 3.

Regardless, amidst rumors of a move, a 2020 quote from James has been doing the rounds on Twitter. The clip was shared by Bleacher Report and sees James explain why he wanted to launch a Team LeBron brand under $38.6 billion giants Nike and make Doncic his first signing.

LeBron James once wanted to sign Luka Doncic to Team LeBron

LeBron James might have eventually dropped the idea of a Team LeBron. However, Luka Doncic would have been the perfect young star to launch such a brand.

Considering to be one of the most gifted players of the present generation, Doncic is an offensive marvel and is on track to have a highly successful career. James, during his interview with Road Trippin’ Show, had said that Doncic was one of his favorite players.

The former Cleveland Cavaliers player went on to explain that like him, Doncic also believed in playing for the team. However, this did not mean that he was incapable of scoring.

"Luka is one of my favorite players in the NBA today"

Throwback to this quote from 2020 about LeBron wanting to sign Luka to a shoe deal 👀

(via @RoadTrippinPod) https://t.co/tu4sQay78w

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 5, 2023

Claiming that the Slovenian was one of his favorite current players, LeBron explained that he wanted to begin a brand called Team LeBron, under the Nike umbrella. Doncic eventually ended up signing a 5-year deal with Nike and created his own signature shoe line. However, according to James, things could have been far different:

“Luka is one of my favorite players in the NBA today. For the simple fact that the way I play the game, is exactly why I love seeing his game, team first, get the guy on the ball. If you challenge me to score, I am gonna score, and at the same time, I wanna score and also at the same time, I wanna keep my guys involved. I play for the team, and I play with a sense of joy. When Luka was going through his contract negotiations with Nike, we saw him at one point wearing Jordans, and you saw them wear the other brands during practice with no shame. I wanted to begin Team LeBron and have Luka as my first signing with Nike. This is what I wanted.”

LeBron to Dallas Mavericks looks highly unlikely

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James did not end things on the best of notes. However, the two have since repaired their relationship and are willing to play together.

James had claimed in February that he was open to playing with his former teammate. However, with the new hard cap under the CBA, both James and Irving will have to take pay cuts as teams are not allowed to have 3 max players on a roster.

Furthermore, LeBron will have to orchestrate a buyout with the Lakers, with whom he is under contract until 2024-25. While a potential trio of Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Luka Doncic is undoubtedly mouth-watering, a potential deal seems a long way away, as of now.