Luka Dončić pays homage to LeBron James in 9-word tribute after blockbuster Lakers announcement
- US News
- World News
- Page Six
- Sports
- Post Sports+
- Sports Betting
- Business
- Opinion
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Lifestyle
- Health
- Real Estate
- Alexa
- Media
- Tech
- Science
- Astrology
- Video
- Photos
- Pod Force One
- NY POSTcast
Switch between CA and NY editions here.
Edition- Sports
- Sports Plus
- Sports Betting
- Columnists
- NFL
- MLB
- NBA
- World Cup
- NHL
- NCAAB
- WNBA
- NWSL
- PWHL
- NCAAF
- Sports Entertainment
- Golf
- Tennis
- Wrestling
- MMA
- Soccer
- Olympics
- NBA
- New York Knicks
- Brooklyn Nets
- Scores
- Stats
- Standings
- Teams
- Players
- Odds
- Injuries
- Transactions
- Drafts
Recommended
Skip to main content NBA breakingLuka Dončić pays homage to LeBron James in 9-word tribute after blockbuster Lakers announcement
By Edward Lewis Published June 30, 2026, 2:08 p.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The California Post on GoogleLuka Dončić just said goodbye to LeBron James with an emotional social media post.
On his Instagram page, Dončić shared a photo of he and James hugging with the caption, “An honor to play with and learn from you”


Dončić’s message came just a couple hours after it was revealed James will move on from Los Angeles in 2026.
James, according to his agent Rich Paul, informed the Lakers this week they can officially move forward without him as he wants to play elsewhere next season.
More coverage on LeBron James
- LeBron James leaving Lakers in NBA free agency as Golden State Warriors rumors swirl
- Warriors master offseason plan includes LeBron James and Anthony Davis
- LeBron James’ silence leaves Lakers in the lurch ahead of NBA free agency
- Lakers need LeBron James, and he needs them. It’s time to get deal done
- Jimmy Butler’s agent pushes back on Warriors trade rumors amid Anthony Davis buzz
The decision will end a Dončić-James pairing that first began in February 2025, after the Lakers traded for Dončić in a blockbuster with the Mavericks.
The two All-Stars ultimately didn’t get to play a significant amount of games with one another as they both battled injuries throughout this past season, though their time on the floor together nonetheless clearly impacted Dončić.
It’s unclear where both sides go from here. The Lakers have made it known they’re prioritizing finding the right pieces to surround Doncic with as soon as free agency opens up later Tuesday, though their specific targets have yet to be revealed.
As for James, Miami, Golden State and Cleveland have all been rumored to be possible landing spots for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
Filed under Read Next LeBron hits gym, shows off ripped abs just before shocking...
Trending Now in Sports
-
This story has been shared 54,812 times.
54,812
LeBron James quits Lakers in bombshell announcement — as fans erupt in clearly divided camps
-
This story has been shared 25,863 times.
25,863
John Cena posts shocking bald photo as part of hair transplants
-
This story has been shared 17,653 times.
17,653
Golf star’s ex-wife speaks out on social media after Phil Mickelson explicit photo allegations
-
This story has been shared 6,396 times.
6,396
Ex-Germany star outraged by disallowed goal in shocking World Cup elimination
-
This story has been shared 2,930 times.
2,930
Mets’ youngster hits injury-prone catcher with swing in on-deck circle in wild moment
Columnists
-
Joel Sherman
How the Mets can transform their outlook going into MLB’s minefield offseason
-
Madeline Kenney
Underwhelming Liberty superteam missing a championship-caliber element
-
Mark Cannizzaro
USMNT vet is so much more than the World Cup team’s elder statesman
See All Columnists
Scoreboard
More Stories
Page Six
The surprise twist in Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding NDAs revealed
Decider
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ On Netflix, Where A Mild-Mannered Office Worker Dregs Up His Black Ops Past When His Daughter Goes Missing
NYPost
LeBron James quits Lakers in bombshell announcement — as fans erupt in clearly divided camps
© 2026 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved Terms of Use Subscription Terms Privacy Notice SitemapYour California Privacy Rights
Why Rasul Douglas Is Perfect Lions Replacement for Terrion Arnold
Why Rasul Douglas Is Perfect Lions Replacement for Terrion Arnold
Veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas had a productive 2025 season with Miami Dolphins. John Maakaron|
In this story:
Detroit LionsThe Detroit Lions may be forced to look outside the organization in order to land a replacement for Terrion Arnold, who was recently cut after the conclusion of a pretrial bond hearing.
Veran Rasul Douglas had a productive 2025 NFL season with the Miami Dolphins.
Spanning a decade in the league, Douglas has also had previous stints with Bills, Packers, Eagles and Panthers.
In 135 career appearances, he has recorded 503 tackles, 92 passes defensed, 21 interceptions, four forced fumbles and 25 tackles for loss.
"The opportunity to be able to land a Rasul Douglas at this stage of the calendar should be welcome by any team looking for a cornerback," wrote NFL reporter Alain Poupart of Dolphins On SI. "The veteran went unsigned in free agency, but it’s difficult to envision that having anything to do with his performance last season with the Miami Dolphins when he was among the few bright spots in a disappointing 7-10 season."
Poupart explained further, "Douglas didn’t sign until training camp had begun last summer after a difficult 2024 season with the Buffalo Bills, but his play was borderline Pro Bowl-caliber for Miami after he stepped into the starting lineup in Week 2."
Adaptability on defense
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was asked at minicamp if the defense was better able to be more versatile, given the depth in the secondary.
"If you just look at the secondary unit in totality, there are about seven or eight guys -- you throw in Keith (Abney) in there that we drafted, who’s played a lot of snaps, and there is a lot of versatility we feel like within that group," said Sheppard. "There are guys that verse well that be college, going to back to college and the NFL. They have spent time in the slot and they have spent outside.
"There are some swing players that spent time and say Christian Izien, he came over here and said, ‘What do you guys need me to play?’ And I said, ‘I might need you to learn two spots.' He said, ‘Oh, that would be one less than I had to learn in Tampa, because I had to know three.’ Like being able to have guys who are used to that and used to adapting."
Sheppard noted adaptability was going to be key this upcoming season.
"You asked what I learned and why am I more comfortable. The adaptability, the adaptability that you have as a coach and player in this league is vital, because things are going to change," said Sheppard. "We are going to have set plans when we are going into Week 1. And probably by the second quarter of the Saints games, something is going to be different than what we thought it was going be and in that moment who are you. And that is what we are going through right now.”
For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel for daily videos, news, member-exclusive content.
Published 31 minutes ago | Modified 31 minutes ago
JOHN MAAKARONJohn Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!
Home/News
Cowboys and Lions Could Link Up For Trade After Terrion Arnold Release
Cowboys and Lions Could Link Up For Trade After Terrion Arnold Release
With the Detroit Lions in need of more help at cornerback, it's possible they could strike a trade with the Dallas Cowboys at some point.Mike Moraitis|
In this story:
Dallas Cowboys | News, Scores, Schedules & StandingsAfter releasing Terrion Arnold, the Detroit Lions are likely to be on the lookout for more cornerback help between now and Week 1 and the Dallas Cowboys are a team that could help via trade.
The Lions announced the release of their 2024 first-round pick on Monday and it comes on the heels of Arnold being hit with kidnapping and armed robbery charges.
Arnold was set to compete for a starting job after a disappointing start to his career over two seasons, but he was likely to win it with Detroit not having much competition for the role.
And that lack of competition now means the Lions are in a bind and need to make some kind of addition at some point.
That's where the Cowboys could come in.
Cowboys could have excess at cornerback

After what we saw last season with injuries and ineffective play, it's hard to envision a world where the Cowboys could have an extra cornerback available for trade, but it's possible.
The Cowboys have DaRon Bland at one boundary spot and he figures to be locked in to that job, at least to begin the season. Whether or not he keeps it or stays healthy remains to be seen.
At the other boundary spot, Dallas has Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel and Caelen Carson competing for the starting job. Then, Dallas has Caleb Downs set to man the slot, with Durant likely serving as the backup there.
All of that and we haven't even mentioned the presence of fourth-round pick Devin Moore, who is a total wild card but could still carve out some semblance of a role for himself. How fast the rookie develops could determine how willing the Cowboys are to part with one of their cornerbacks.
But if all goes well and Moore is looking ready to contribute, Dallas may have five viable cornerbacks with Moore, Bland, Revel, Durant and Carson, which could make one of them expendable, although we certainly wouldn't rule out Dallas leaving nothing to chance after last year's issues and keeping all of them.
Who is most likely to be traded?

There are many reasons to believe why Carson would be the guy who gets moved, and first and foremost because he's the least likely to win the starting competition on the boundary.
We also just don't see the Cowboys giving up on a third-round pick like Revel that quickly, and the team just added Moore and Durant this offseason. Take Bland off the table, also, as his contract is simply too big to move.
Carson's NFL sample size is small because of injury and he only has 14 games under his belt, but he does have some promising numbers in his limited opportunities.
In 2025, Carson gave up a completion rate of 57.9% and a passer rating of 88.9 when targeted on 19 attempts. He also posted a strong Pro Football Focus run defense grade of 76.3.
Carson is having a strong offseason, also, with the third-year corner being one of the bigger standouts through OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
Now, to be perfectly clear, the Cowboys should not trade any of their cornerbacks right now, but if they get through training camp with everyone healthy and Moore shows he's ready to be a viable backup, then Dallas should consider moving off one of their guys if the right offer comes across Jerry Jones' desk.
Published 2 minutes ago
MIKE MORAITISMike Moraitis is a freelance writer who has covered the NFL for major outlets such as Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News. He has previously written for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and FanSided, and got his start in sports media at Bleacher Report.
Home/News