PHOENIX SUNS

Charles Barkley unsure about the LeBron James-Luka Doncic fit on Lakers

Feb 3, 2025, 12:50 PM | Updated: 12:51 pm

Basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four ch...

Basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game between the Connecticut Huskies and the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

As he often does, Phoenix Suns legend Charles Barkley has his takes on the latest news in the NBA. This time he’s taken aim on the league-altering trades of the past weekend.

On a Monday morning segment of Get Up on ESPN, Barkley made it clear that he is not a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers’ new star pairing of Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

“I don’t think Luka and LeBron can play together,” Barkley said. “That’s my personal opinion.”

Barkley added he doesn’t believe the Mavericks and general manager Nico Harrison wanted to give Doncic his five-year, $345 million extension this coming offseason, noting Doncic’s recent injury woes having played in 22 of 49 games for the Mavericks this year.

“He’s always hurt … and he can’t guard anybody,” Barkley said. “And, hey listen, Nico risked his job. No. 1, I gave him his flowers earlier. He stood there and took y’all’s questions. He didn’t want to say it ‘I don’t know if (Doncic) is going to get in shape. I can’t risk giving him $350 million.’ I gotta give that guy his credit. He made a decision. It’s one of those decisions where you are either going to lose your job or keep your job.”

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on Monday’s episode of The Hoop Collective (43:45 mark) that the Mavericks were “terrified” of the commitment of giving Doncic a supermax extension.

Charles Barkley thinks Dallas is a title contender

Barkley really dug deep for this one.

Both on Get Up and on a segment on NBA TV Sunday afternoon, Barkley proclaimed that the Mavericks are now the second-best team in the Western Conference after adding Anthony Davis and Max Christie.

“OKC, they’re my favorite to win this thing,” Barkley said on NBA TV. “But, man, the Dallas Mavericks, they might have just become the second-best team in the Western Conference.”

Barkley added that the youthful Houston Rockets would not win in a seven-game series against the new-look Mavericks.

On Get Up on Monday, Barkley doubled down.

“When we wake up, the Dallas Mavericks are the second-best team in the West,” he said.

Dallas is currently fighting for the play-in at ninth in the Western Conference at 26-24.

Charles Barkley has a trade idea

Sir Charles must have been working the trade machine Monday morning before his segment.

When asked by host Mike Greenberg who should trade for James, Barkley had two ideas that would certainly turn heads.

“I swing for the Warriors,” he said. “I would. It would be must-watch television to see Steph (Curry) and LeBron play together.”

“How about the Spurs? The Spurs got De’Aaron Fox, Wemby, 100 draft picks,” he added.

There have been no reports that a James trade is imminent.

Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported that James does not intend to waive his no-trade clause.

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