“LeBron James is getting older” - Jimmy Connors gives verdict on $75M-worth Luka Doncic's trade to Lakers from Mavericks

Jimmy Connors shared his thoughts on the trade that sent Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic will play alongside basketball legend, LeBron James at Lakers.

The trade, which took place earlier this month in the NBA, was a surprising move that saw Doncic, who has a net worth of $75 million (according to celebritynetworth.com) being exchanged for Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis. The Slovenian had been with the Mavericks from 2018 to 2025, while Davis had been a part of the Lakers from 2019 to 2025.

Recently, while speaking on the 'Advantage Connors' podcast, Jimmy Connors discussed the implications of the trade. He expressed that the Lakers made a "good deal" in acquiring Luka Doncic, especially as LeBron James is aging and having a younger player to train according to the team's needs could be beneficial.

Connors also hinted at the possibility of there being other motives behind the trade involving Doncic, suggesting that there may be some underlying activities at play.

“I did see that. You look back and he’s still a young guy and you look at it and you say boy did the [Los Angeles] Lakers make a good deal there because you know obviously LeBron [James] is getting a little bit older and who knows you know what his schedule is going to be. But to have him come to the Lakers there might be some underlying activities too,” Connors said [at 50:44].

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Jimmy Connors: “It’ll be interesting to see where Los Angeles Lakers go now after acquiring Luka Doncic”

Jimmy Connors speaking to the press [Image Source: Getty Images]

In the aforementioned podcast, Jimmy Connors stated that it would be "interesting" to see how the Los Angeles Lakers use Luka Donic and shape their game strategy around him.

“Well it’ll be interesting to see where they go now from here after acquiring him and what they do build around him and what is needed. Are they solid in other positions where he can just come in and fill his spot and he’ll be well supported? Or do they have to build around him too? So it’s going to be interesting,” Jimmy Connors said [at 55:50].

Connors also mentioned that he hadn't watched a live basketball game in quite some time and revealed that the prospect of Doncic joining the Lakers has piqued his interest in attending a match in person.

“I haven’t gone out around much and gone to many games or whatever but it’s gonna be interesting to see how that works out. If so I’d love to go down and see that. I’ve watched him on television, but to see him up front and up close would be pretty special. I wouldn't mind going to see a game like that,” he added [56:15].

Connors finished his career with eight singles Grand Slam titles, including five US Open titles, two Wimbledon Championships, and one Australian Open title. He also won two doubles Grand Slam titles - at Wimbledon and the New York Major alongside Ilie Nastase.

Following his retirement from professional tennis, Connors transitioned into coaching, working with players such as Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, and Eugenie Bouchard.