Star player Luka Doncic resigns with the Los Angeles Lakers, bypassing the free agency period.
Luka Doncic Signs Three-Year, $165 Million Extension with the Los Angeles Lakers
In a significant move for the Los Angeles Lakers, star player Luka Doncic has agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum extension. The announcement was made by Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager, in a team statement.
Doncic, who was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers in February, has made an immediate impact on the team. In the 28 games following the trade, he averaged an impressive 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. This stellar performance helped the Lakers earn the No. 3 seed for the Western Conference playoffs.
The new deal includes a $57.6 million player option in the final year, allowing Doncic to opt out prior to the 2028-29 season. The contract's structure cleverly preserves his leverage for a lucrative extension after the initial term ends, striking a balance between security and future flexibility.
Doncic's best season was in 2023-24, where he won the league's scoring title, averaging 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. He is the only player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists per game while playing 400 or more contests.
The extension secures Doncic's future with the Lakers, a move that has been welcomed by the team's fanbase. Doncic's on-court dominance and passion have been admired since he was traded to the team, and his off-court generosity and care for the community are also noted by Rob Pelinka.
Doncic led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, becoming the first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. His future goal is to lead the Lakers to pursue future championships.
The new deal replaces Doncic's previous 2026-27 player option, keeping him under contract through at least the 2027-28 season and eliminating his free agency next summer. The breakdown of the contract shows annual salaries roughly as follows: $194.8 million cap hit in 2025-26, dropping to $104.4 million in 2026-27, $75.8 million in 2027-28, with the 2028-29 player option valued at about $55.1 million.
In terms of future free agency options, Doncic can opt out of the 2028-29 player option and sign a new supermax contract for up to five years and approximately $417 million based on 35% of the projected salary cap. This arrangement allows him to regain the financial upside he lost by being traded from Dallas, where he was eligible for a five-year, $315 million supermax extension this summer that he can no longer sign due to NBA trade rules.
Choosing a shorter 3-year deal rather than the Lakers’ maximum four-year, $229 million offer gives Doncic flexibility to become an unrestricted free agent by 2028 or 2029, after ten years in the league, potentially enabling him to maximize future earnings or explore team options later rather than commit long term now.
Doncic has developed into one of the league's premier players since being drafted third overall in 2018. With this new extension, he has officially been announced as the face of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. He expressed commitment to building a championship-contending team with the Lakers and gratitude toward the organization, signaling that this three-year deal is the foundation for his tenure in Los Angeles.
After signing a three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, don't be surprised to see Luka Doncic grabbing a bite at his favorite sports bar during his downtime, savoring a meal while catching the latest NBA scores and highlights. As the face of the Lakers franchise, Doncic's passion for basketball extends beyond the court, and he often indulges in post-game discussions about the intricacies of basketball strategy and team dynamics over a plate of hearty food, delighting in every bite as he reflects on his impressive on-court performances and looks forward to future championships with the Lakers.
