Windhorst: LeBron 'Dreamed of' Playing with Luka Before Anthony Davis, Lakers Trade

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James "dreamed" of playing alongside Luka Dončić, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

The Lakers made that a reality when they agreed to trade Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Windhorst said Sunday on SportsCenter that James "never thought but badly, badly wanted" to team up with Dončić at some point.

As far back as 2022, LeBron had referred to the 25-year-old as "my fav player!!".

The Mavericks tried to form their own LeBron and Luka partnership long before Sunday's transaction. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported last May that Dallas had considered taking Bronny James in the 2024 NBA draft as a way to lure his father to North Texas.

Ultimately, James' desire to be on the same team as Dončić didn't override his preference to stay in Southern California.

Bronny only worked out for the Lakers and Phoenix Suns ahead of the draft, which many read as a sign of where LeBron would consider signing. In that respect, the absence of the Mavs was telling.

The four-time MVP could've chosen to become a free agent in 2023 instead of penning a two-year extension with the Lakers, too. Hitting the open market would've cleared the way for him to join Dončić, who was already a four-time All-Star to that point.

Now, James is getting his wish on his terms.

This is unlikely to be a long-term luxury for the Lakers. James turned 40 in December and he has been frank about how even he won't keep going forever. Maybe the presence of Dončić entices him to stay a year or two longer than he had originally planned, though.