Two NBA Hall of Famers talked about the potential of the newly formed pair of LeBron James and Luka Doncic in Los Angeles. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed the Lakers’ blockbuster trade for Doncic, who the Purple and Gold acquired at the cost of sending Anthony Davis to Dallas.
In a sneak peek of the upcoming episode of “KG Certified” that went public on Thursday, Garnett and Pierce expressed their surprise at the blockbuster trade that shook the basketball world. The 2008 champions with the Boston Celtics pondered on the repercussions of the trade, which could improve the NBA’s ratings, shift the dynamic between the players and the management, and affect James’ longevity in the league.
“This is how Bron is gonna play with Bryce.”
KG & Paul share their thoughts on Luka Doncic joining the Lakers, and break down the league-wide impact. pic.twitter.com/8KlhdL1PQL
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) February 6, 2025
Both Garnett and Pierce suggested that James should pass some of his responsibilities to Doncic and give the younger star leeway to lead the Lakers as well. That, according to the podcasting pair of NBA legends, might extend his career long enough to let him play with his second son Bryce in the NBA.
“(Luka) just bought Bron two more years,” Garnett said, to which Pierce replied, “He might’ve added more than that.” KG joked back, “This is how Bron is gonna play with Bryce.”
The 17-year-old Bryce is currently in high school at Sierra Canyon and is ineligible to be drafted until at least 2026, when LeBron is aged 42.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discuss the LeBron James-Luka Doncic pairing
Paul Pierce admitted finding it hard to wrap his head around the Mavericks’ decision to send Luka Doncic to team with LeBron James in Los Angeles.
The 10-time All-Star said, “I thought it was fake news. I couldn’t believe, like—how (do) you trade Luka in his prime like that?”
Kevin Garnett speculated that the Mavericks traded Doncic as part of a bigger effort by NBA ownership groups to take back control over player movement. In the past years, players have been feeling more entitled to test their chances on the trade market and decide on what they deem is best for themselves.
“The owners (Mavericks) seem like they are actually reestablishing some dominance,” Garnett replied, “The trade with Luka, that vibrated that everybody’s expendable.”
Garnett seemingly implied that the Mavericks got the short end of the deal with the Doncic trade while the Lakers got the jackpot.
“Guess what the Lakers just got? A player—not only a face of the league, but a player for the next 15 years—that they would have never been able to get,” Garnett said.
“This brand of international revenue that’s about to come to the Lakers that you thought already was tremendous, it’s about to go to the next level,” Pierce replied in agreement.
Luka Doncic might extend LeBron James’ playing years, said Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed how the duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James might work for the Lakers, knowing that it takes more than what looks good on paper to make a tandem like theirs work. Garnett even likened Doncic to the late great Kobe Bryant.
“(Luka’s) more Kobe Bryant than LeBron James,” KG said. “He’s gonna take the last shot. He ain’t trippin’. This is what he’s been doing since 13/14.”
The 15-time All-Star continued, “If he does anything remotely close to what he did in the Dallas uniform…We finna get the best Luka, and he’s about to be in a Laker uniform doing it.”
“If LeBron will allow it. LeBron got to take a step back,” Pierce, the 2008 NBA Finals MVP, replied.
“This the first time, big homie. … Yeah, you gonna have to scoot over, big homie. I got it. This what you been wanting, though,” Garnett added, seemingly addressing King James.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
