LeBron James says Luka Dončić has to have the ball for Lakers to be at their best

LeBron James is embracing Luka Dončić being the primary ball handler on the Lakers.

When the Luka Dončić to Los Angeles trade was made, some skeptics wondered aloud how LeBron James and the former Dallas guard would fit together.

Would both guys being predominantly on-ball players create a duplication of skills that neutralizes itself?

Realistically, the argument that Luka and LeBron wouldn’t work was always a silly one. LeBron has been less and less on-ball over the years and the only reason he still controlled the Lakers offense so much is that there weren’t many options you could trust.

With Luka now a Laker, LeBron has relinquished much of that responsibility and seems to relish doing so. Both players have had chemistry instantly and there have been no growing pains whatsoever.

After their most recent win over the Pelicans, where LeBron had 34 points and Luka had 30 points and 15 assists, a feat only three other Lakers have accomplished in franchise history, James discussed why on-ball Luka is the key to the team’s success.

“In order for us to be the team ultimately we need to be, the ball needs to be on Luka’s hands,” James said. “Then when Luka sits down, the ball can be in my hands or be in [Austin Reave’s] hands when he gets back.

“But, I’m very comfortable playing off the ball and finding my spots, running the floor, getting outlet passes from Luka, being on the backside of the defense if he’s either being blitzed in the pick and rolls or switched in pick and rolls and attract so many eyes and bodies. I’ve been very blessed to be to be able to be adaptable to whatever team I’ve been on during my career, to be able to change. And this is another instance and I’m looking forward to it.”