Luka Dončić Commits to Lakers with 3-Year, $165 Million Contract Extension
Los Angeles, CA – In a landmark move for the Los Angeles Lakers, star guard Luka Dončić officially signed a three-year contract extension worth $165 million, cementing his future with the franchise through at least the 2027-28 NBA season. The agreement, announced on August 2, 2025, includes a player option in the final year, giving the 26-year-old shooting guard flexibility while solidifying the Lakers’ commitment to building a championship-caliber team around him.
Dončić, who was acquired by the Lakers in a midseason trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, credited his recent physical transformation and the fresh start in Los Angeles as key factors driving his decision to commit long term. “We have what we need to compete for the championship,” Dončić said during a news conference. “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’ front office echoed that confidence. General Manager Rob Pelinka praised Dončić’s dedication to his craft and highlighted the support system developed around him, including his trainer Anze Macek and physiotherapist Javier Barrio, who have worked seamlessly with the team’s staff to maintain his improved physical condition.
Since arriving in L.A., Dončić has revamped his physique, shedding weight and enhancing his conditioning through a rigorous training program that included a month-long break from the court to focus solely on fitness and strength. This focus on health and performance is seen by the Lakers as a vital foundation for sustained success both for Dončić personally and for the team’s championship aspirations.
The extension places Dončić among the NBA’s top-paid players, with a salary breakdown reflecting the league’s salary cap dynamics: approximately $194.8 million in the first year (2025-26), $104.4 million in the second, and $75.8 million in the third, before the player option year in 2028-29 estimated at $55.1 million. This deal significantly impacts the Lakers’ salary cap management but also confirms their long-term commitment to a core that can contend for titles.
Dončić’s commitment to the Lakers marks a crucial chapter after a playoff run that ended in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. Since then, the Lakers have retooled their roster, signing notable players like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, both recruited by Dončić himself after they became available via buyouts, alongside other additions such as Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, aiming to build stronger team chemistry and depth.
The extension also signals possible shifts within the Lakers organization, especially regarding the futures of other franchise icons like LeBron James, as the team balances veteran presence with the emerging core centered on Dončić.
On social media platform X, Dončić expressed enthusiasm about his new contract, stating he is “excited to keep working to bring championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud.” With this agreement in place, the Lakers appear poised to make a formidable push in the upcoming seasons.
The basketball world will be watching closely as Dončić and the Lakers embark on this high-stakes quest for NBA glory, with fans and analysts alike eager to see how this new chapter unfolds.
— Reporting by [Your News Agency]