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Luka Doncic leaves LeBron James behind, makes surprising Nikola Jokić pick in rapid-fire round

Lachit Roy

/ TIMESOFINDIA.COM /

Jul 07, 2026, 08:18 IST

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Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Image via: Adam Pantozzi/ NBAE via Getty Images

Luka Doncic picked Nikola Jokić over

LeBron James

and several other NBA legends during a rapid-fire "ultimate teammate" interview posted July 6 by Instagram user Klemen Kopina. The pick drew attention because James recently informed the Lakers he will sign elsewhere in free agency, ending his run with the franchise.

Reports describe Doncic and James as close with no tension between them, and Doncic's answer is being read as a reflection of a hypothetical 2-on-2 fit rather than any real ranking. Fans reacted with a mix of amusement and speculation about Doncic's future preferences at center.

Luka Doncic leaves LeBron James behind, makes surprising Nikola Jokić pick in rapid-fire round

Luka Doncic of the Lakers (Image via Getty)

Luka Doncic picked Nikola Jokić over LeBron James without hesitation during a rapid-fire interview posted July 6, a detail that stands out given James is no longer his Los Angeles Lakers teammate.

Instagram user Klemen Kopina asked Doncic to choose an "ultimate" teammate for a hypothetical 2-on-2 game across a list of NBA legends, and Jokić kept winning.

Doncic first chose Jokić over Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, then kept the streak going against Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson and Victor Wembanyama. When James entered the bracket, Doncic picked Jokić again without pause. The run ended only when Larry Bird came up, and the interview closed with Doncic taking

Michael Jordan

over Bird.

James informed the Lakers earlier this offseason that he intends to sign elsewhere for the 2026-27 season, ending an eight-year run in Los Angeles that included a 2020 championship. Reporting around the split has consistently described James and Doncic as close, with no indication of any rift, so the exercise reads less like a shot at James and more like Doncic weighing teammate fit in a 2-on-2 setting, which rewards a very different skill set than a full 5-on-5 lineup.

Fans react to Luka Doncic's Nikola Jokić pick over LeBron James

The clip spread quickly, and reactions split along a few lines. One fan, @JBone9641, pushed back on any suggestion of tension, writing, "there's been 0 reports of tension." Another, @CoolHandMe33, framed it as a shift in perspective, posting, "He wouldn't have said Jokic over LeBron a few months ago." A third, @vegasmirabet, put it simply: "Jokic over LeBron is spicy, but Luka knows that game better than anyone."

Whether the moment carries any real weight beyond a fun interview answer remains to be seen, but it lands at a pointed moment for the Lakers. With James gone and Doncic now the unquestioned face of the franchise, every offhand comment about who he'd want alongside him is likely to get outsized attention this offseason, especially with Jokić's own contract situation in Denver still unresolved heading into next summer.

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About the Author

Lachit Roy

Lachit Roy is a sports writer at The Times of India, where he covers the NBA, WWE, and other major international sporting events. With over five years of experience across different media houses, he has developed expertise in reporting, analysis, and storytelling. His sharp insights are complemented by a clear and engaging writing style. He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Tezpur University. Beyond sports, Lachit is passionate about movies and enjoys gardening in his free time.

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