Luka Dončić Signs 3-Year, $165M Extension with Lakers, Embraces Fresh Start and Championship Pursuit
Los Angeles, August 2, 2025 — Luka Dončić, the star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has officially solidified his future with the franchise by signing a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension, featuring a player option for the 2027-28 season. The signing removes him from free agency in 2026 and keeps the 26-year-old with the Lakers through at least the 2028 season, with the option to opt out and negotiate a long-term deal potentially worth $417 million thereafter.
The deal was announced on Saturday, with Lakers officials confirming the extension but withholding exact financial terms. The full details surfaced shortly after through Dončić’s agent and media reports, highlighting the magnitude of the commitment between the star and the storied franchise.
Embracing a Fresh Start
Speaking at a news conference, Dončić revealed that his offseason conditioning and mindset marked a “fresh start” for him both physically and mentally. This summer, he prioritized holistic fitness, including weightlifting and balancing exercises, and took a break from basketball for the first month after the season ended. “For the first month, I didn’t play basketball at all,” Dončić said. “It was like a fresh start for me… The first five days without basketball was actually really hard. I didn’t know what to do. After, it was easier. Physically, weightlifting and balancing. After one month, we were playing basketball too.”
His slimmer physique is seen as key to improving durability throughout the demanding 82-game NBA regular season. Additionally, the conditioning boost is expected to help his defense, a focus area as the Lakers look to deepen their playoff runs in the coming years.
Ready to Chase Championships
Having recently joined the Lakers in a midseason trade from the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić’s first half-season ended with a first-round playoff exit. He stressed a renewed determination to capture an NBA title with Los Angeles. “We have what we need to compete for the championship,” he said. “I’ll try to win every game no matter what, and we got some new great guys on the team, so you know we’re going to go for it.”
The Lakers’ roster improvements are visible, with recent additions such as Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart—both key free agent signings and acquisitions brought in partially at Dončić’s behest—joining the team. Other young talents including rookie Adou Thiero, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, and Maxi Kleber were also present at the extension signing event, signaling a mix of youth and experience being built around Dončić.
Financial Impact and Future Outlook
The contract extension adjusts the Lakers’ salary cap significantly. Reported team cap figures after the extension are approximately $194.8 million for the 2025-26 season, $104.4 million in 2026-27, and $75.8 million in 2027-28, reflecting salary and cap management challenges ahead for the front office.
Dončić acknowledged his gratitude, stating, “I’m really grateful to the Lakers organization, my teammates and the fans for welcoming me and my family with so much support and kindness since day one. This is an amazing organization, and I truly believe in what we’re building together. I’m going to keep working as hard as I can to bring another championship to Los Angeles and to make Laker Nation proud. This is just the beginning. I’m excited for what’s ahead and to keep building something special with this team.”
Conclusion
Luka Dončić’s commitment to the Lakers marks a pivotal moment for both the player and the franchise. As one of the league’s brightest young stars, his combination of physical transformation, psychological readiness, and contractual security sets the stage for the Lakers’ quest to add an 18th NBA championship banner in the iconic Staples Center.