The Los Angeles Lakers are 6-2 and fourth in the Western Conference in their first season since LeBron James left for the Philadelphia 76ers. Luka Dončić had 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds on 14-of-24 shooting, including 6 of 15 from 3-point range, in the latest win, Monday’s 138-117 victory over the Miami Heat.

How much James’ departure explains Dončić’s play is a point of disagreement between Rich Paul, James’ agent and the CEO of Klutch Sports Group, and Max Kellerman, Paul’s co-host on the podcast “Game Over.” In a clip of their conversation, Kellerman made the case that James’ exit has fueled Dončić, and Paul pushed back.

Max Kellerman Says LeBron James’ Exit Helped Luka Dončić

Kellerman put it this way: “I think Luka was very motivated once LeBron got moved to have his team.” James left as a free agent, ending eight seasons in Los Angeles that produced the 2020 title.

Paul rejected the link: “But what does LeBron have to do with it? LeBron don’t have anything to do with that.”

“He does. And by the way, because for whatever reason, though they were injured a lot at different times, it wasn’t; the hole was not greater than the sum of its parts with those two on the floor. And part of that happens when, really, a guy needs the ball. And he needs, I think the specter of LeBron and Luka trying to do the right thing, LeBron trying to do the right thing, created a confusion on the team,” Kellerman explained his perspective.

James and Dončić won together before the 4-time champ left. With Austin Reaves, the Lakers went on a 16-2 run from late February through March last season.

Coach JJ Redick had asked James to play a supporting role in that stretch, ESPN reported. The NBA legend also embraced the role whenever needed, for the greater good. Reaves, the third member of that group, remains with the Lakers.

Paul has spoken for James on the exit before. While James weighed his options this past summer, Paul made the rounds in the media, once sketching possible landing spots on a whiteboard during the podcast, and he pointed to “basketball happiness” as the reason his client was leaving the Lakers. The 76ers answered with a pitch built on winning, ESPN reported.

Part of James’ exit played out on Paul and Kellerman’s show.

Philadelphia made its pitch on “Game Over,” where Bob Myers, president of the 76ers’ parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, made the case himself: “If he was here, I’d say, ‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important.’ … If it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team. Because you can win here in Philadelphia.”

James has said the exit came only after he seriously considered retiring.

When he announced the move on July 24, he wrote: “I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game.”

After taking that time, James, 41, wrote, “I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”

He explained why that led him to Philadelphia: “This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? … I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”

James, in his 24th season, is chasing a fifth championship with the 76ers.