The Los Angeles Lakers, under the guidance of general manager Rob Pelinka, engaged in discussions with Luka Dončić prior to attempting a trade for center Mark Williams. This move was designed to address a desire expressed by their new superstar for a lob threat. Reports suggest that LeBron James took note of this consultation, as ESPN's Dave McMenamin highlighted the significance of Dončić's involvement in the decision-making process.

James' camp recognized that Pelinka prioritized Dončić's input immediately upon his arrival. This was particularly evident when the Lakers acted on Dončić's request for acquiring Williams, even as James had long advocated for the team to leverage their draft picks to enhance the roster. Initial negotiations for a potential trade involving Dončić and Anthony Davis remained closely guarded, with James not consulted on these discussions. However, sources indicate that James understood the unique opportunity that Pelinka was pursuing.

While there are valid concerns regarding the compatibility of James and Dončić on the court—given both players' tendency to dominate the ball and their need for effective shooters—the Lakers' focus appears to be oriented toward a long-term future featuring Dončić, who is just 25 years old. The team has signaled a willingness to adapt after James retires, but ensuring that Dončić is content and willing to commit to a long-term affiliation with the Lakers remains paramount. Pelinka's trades, even those perceived as costly, were viewed internally as efforts to cultivate goodwill with Dončić and improve the roster to an 'all in' stance before the trade deadline. While the deal for Williams ultimately did not materialize, the intention behind these engagements demonstrated the Lakers' commitment to securing Dončić as a central figure for the franchise's future.