Luka Dončić Commits to Los Angeles Lakers with $165 Million Max Extension Through 2028
Los Angeles, CA – In a landmark deal announced on August 2, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers secured Luka Dončić’s future with a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension. This contract, featuring a player option for the 2028 season, marks a significant commitment from both the team and the NBA superstar after his mid-season trade acquisition from the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year.
The signing comes following NBA regulations that prevent players from immediately maximizing contract earnings after a trade, which sidelined Dončić’s ability to extend his deal until this offseason. Despite the current deal being smaller than the supermax extension he could have received had he stayed with Dallas—eligible due to his consecutive All-NBA selections in 2023 and 2024—it ensures Dončić’s presence on the Lakers roster through the 2027-28 season.
Dončić took to social media to express his enthusiasm about the extension, writing, “I just signed my extension with the Lakers. Excited to keep working to bring championships to L.A. and make Laker Nation proud. Grateful to the Lakers, my teammates, and all the fans who’ve shown so much love since day one. This is just the beginning.” His words reflect a fresh dedication after the transition from Dallas, where he had initially hoped to remain.
The Lakers, who stunned fans and the basketball world by acquiring Dončić in February, now have a solid foundation to build a championship-caliber team around their rising star. The deal not only delivers financial security to Dončić but also strengthens the Lakers’ long-term competitiveness in the NBA. The team’s front office signaled optimism that Dončić will remain a franchise cornerstone, emphasizing their intent to keep him in purple and gold for years to come.
Analysts view the extension as a win for both Dončić and the Lakers. Financially, the contract guarantees Dončić a substantial paycheck during what are likely peak years of his career. For the Lakers, the endorsement of the partnership through a maximal contract adds stability to a roster still undergoing reconfiguration, especially following the mid-season trade shakeup.
While the $165 million figure is slightly less than what a supermax contract could have offered—up to five years starting at 35% of the salary cap—this deal is a standard max extension capped at 30% due to the timing of the trade. Regardless, the Lakers have solidified the superstar’s commitment and can now pursue further roster enhancements with more confidence.
Dončić’s integration into the Lakers’ system had moments of adaptation, as the team was adjusting on the fly to the star addition. Yet the extension signals mutual confidence and a deepening partnership aimed at winning championships. Lakers fans and management alike are optimistic about the continuity this deal promises, potentially ending speculations about Dončić wearing any other uniform in the near future.
This extension also dashed hopes for other top NBA teams that might have hoped to lure Dončić in free agency, including perennial contenders such as the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. With this deal, the Lakers have decisively sealed one of the NBA’s brightest young talents.