LeBron James Was “Miserable” Playing With Luka Doncic Last Year, Claims Bill Simmons

"Luka has been my favorite player in the NBA for a while now," LeBron James said on Feb. 4, 2025, after the trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Nearly two years later, Bill Simmons is offering a very different reading of their time together.

Simmons says the seemingly happy James he sees in Philadelphia is evidence of how unhappy he was in Los Angeles.

"He obviously has a great relationship with Maxey," Simmons said. "I don't think the relationship with Luka was good. And I think we can safely say that. LeBron last year seemed pretty miserable the whole season and knew it wasn't his team." The claim came after Simmons watched James' on- and off-court chemistry with fellow Klutch Sports client Tyrese Maxey.

Simmons tied his argument to roles. He said that this time James “knew it was Maxey’s team, he signed up for it.” He felt James was taken aback by the Lakers’ sudden shift from him to Doncic, whereas in Philly the lead was clear from the start.

The numbers show a different role in Philadelphia. James is averaging 16.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 33.1 minutes with the 76ers, and his scoring has dipped as he embraces Maxey’s lead. Simmons also said James’ energy reflects a belief that the 76ers could reach the NBA Finals in 2027.

The Lakers side of the story involved a significant adjustment. After acquiring Doncic in a blockbuster trade in February 2025, the team catered more to his needs than to James’.

The coaching staff also demanded that James make the biggest sacrifice and play as the No. 3 option behind Doncic and Austin Reaves. For a four-time champion who had been the face of the franchise for years, that was a major change.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James Have Both Spoken Warmly About Each Other

Simmons' claim is an opinion, not reporting, and the public evidence tells a different story. Doncic and James reportedly still speak highly of each other.

Doncic’s own comments suggest a better relationship. He revealed that James reached out to him when James was leaving the Lakers, a gesture he gladly reciprocated, which put to rest any idea that James’ presence had become an issue for him.

He also described playing with James as an "amazing experience" during a visit to the Yankees' broadcast booth.

At Lakers media day, Doncic said it "feels great" to take on a bigger leadership role with James gone. He added that he was also "sad" to see James leave in free agency. Those two statements can both be true, since the team is now his and a respected teammate has moved on.

Doncic's remarks after the roster reshaping carried a different tone, which led some fans to read more into them.

Simmons has also been critical of Doncic in other ways. On the same podcast, he said Doncic's behavior during games has been "a little insufferable," while calling him one of the best offensive players he has ever seen.

Doncic is averaging 38.3 points, 8.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds this season.

The question will not be settled by speculation. Unless James or Doncic speaks about it, the “miserable” label remains a theory built on watching two seasons from the outside.