Sources – Liberon congratulated James Luka Densic on a new deal
Los Angeles-Given that the ink was still driving the extension of the contract for a period of $ 165 million, Luca Densic fell with Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, the Densic phone with the player who was the privilege in the past seven seasons began: Liberon James.
James congratulated the deal with a video call, and the sources familiar with the stock exchange confirmed to ESPN, after signing the contract and before Doncic participated in a press conference in the Lakers training facility on Saturday.
James was not among the half of his teammates to attend the press conference or the collective journey from La Vigas on Saturday evening to attend the Backstreet Boys party at SPHERE. But the call continued the support that James has shown to Doncic since Lakers shocked the basketball world by trading with the 26 -year -old star in February.
“Luka has been my favorite player in the American Professional League for a while now,” James said on February 4 in his first general comments after his first general comment after his colleague was long circulating, Anthony Davis, in Dallas to get Densic.
Lakers went 16-7 in the games that James and Dunicic played together in the normal season.
When asked about the DonCic imminent decision in the contract after Lakers lost in the first round to Minnesota Timberolves, James told Espn that he wanted Densic-but he would not try to influence his decision.
“I hope, clear, [he stays long term]James told ESPN on April 30. Los Angeles accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. But in the end, he must make a decision for him. S —, I will not be present for a longer period. “
Although James’s feelings about Doncic were consistent, as ESPN sources told that both players are respectful and revered to each other, James’s ideas about Lakers are not clear.
James chose the last year of his contract worth $ 52.6 million in June, and set up his 23-league season in the league in 2025-26 with Lakers.
But when James chose, his agent and CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul issued a statement of Espn Shams Charania, who opened the door for speculation on how to play the last chapter of his four -time career.
Paul told ESPN on June 29: “Liberation wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN on June 29. [Buss] And robe [Pelinka] Looking at Lakers as a decisive part of his career.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We want to evaluate what is best for Liberal at this stage in his life and professional life. He wants to make every season he left, understands that, and supports what is better for him.”
When he was asked on Saturday about Paul’s statement and James’s future, Rob Bellinka, head of Lakers operations for basketball and general managers, said that the team and James camp are COPACETIC.
“All the interactions we made with Liberation and his camp, in particular, were positive and supportive.” “The dialogue with [Paul] It was open and fixed. “
As for what comes after that to James after the next season, Biloca said that the team will take the progress of the 40 -year -old.
“I think the first thing we have to do there is respect for his and his family’s decision in terms of the time he will play,” Bilinka said. “We want to respect his ability to reach his schedule about it. I think this is really important. But if he has a chance to retire from Laker, that will be great.”
The American Professional League correspondent, Mark Stein, first reported James’s efforts to reach Densic on a congratulatory invitation on Saturday.