I miss him so much,” Doncic told reporters while still on the Mavs ahead of a game against Finney-Smith’s then-team, the Brooklyn Nets. “I know at some point, we’re gonna play again, for sure. That’s my guy.

Conversely, while James' future in L.A. still remains up in the air, it's expected that Doncic will re-sign with the team, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension on Aug. 2, or he can sign a three-year, $165 million extension with a 2028 player option.

The Los Angeles Lakers adding what many believe to be the key piece their 2024 roster was missing to make an NBA Finals run when they signed 7-foot center DeAndre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal on Wednesday.