After Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic tied Hall of Famer Jerry West for the most 40-point games, he's on pace for an MVP-caliber season, as former NBA player Jeff Teague predicted, believing LeBron James' exit helped pave the way. While leading the league in scoring, Doncic says he's most focused on the Lakers winning, as Los Angeles improved to 6-2 after a 138-117 win over the Miami Heat on Monday.

For Teague, Doncic's success is a testament to James leaving the Lakers via free agency, he said on the 520 in the Morning podcast.

“I told y’all before the season started who my MVP was, and he’s proving me right,” Teague said. “He couldn’t wait for LeBron to leave. I can do all the s*** I want to do. They built Dallas in LA. And I told ya'll Walker Kessler is nice. When I said this team is underrated, ya'll told me I was a fool.”

Jeff Teague says it’s already written that Luka Doncic is the MVP:

“I told y’all before the season started who my MVP was and he’s proving me right…. He couldn’t wait for LeBron to leave. I can do all the sh*t I want to do. They built Dallas in LA.” pic.twitter.com/e2fBGHr4Xw

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) November 3, 2026

Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 42 points on 14-for-24 shooting, including six triples, 13 assists, and two steals. It seemed Los Angeles and LeBron James were both leaning toward going their separate ways this offseason. Without offering James a new contract, the Lakers signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

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At the same time, the Lakers revamped their roster to surround Doncic and his backcourt running mate, Austin Reaves, who agreed to a four-year, $184 million extension. The Lakers also acquired Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz for four years and $130 million.

They also added Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and traded for Jaden Hardy, while sending Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards amid a handful of moves. The Lakers also parted ways with key players from the 2025-26 season, including Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, and Dalton Knecht, following their second-round playoff exit in a 4-0 sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder.