Luka Dončić is staying with the Los Angeles Lakers. The five-time All-NBA guard has agreed to a three-year, $165 million max contract extension, ESPN reported Saturday. The deal includes a player option for the 2028–29 season and replaces his previous contract, which had a player option for 2026–27.
At 26, Dončić avoids free agency next summer and sets himself up for an even bigger payday in 2028, when he could sign a projected five-year, $417 million contract worth 35% of the salary cap.
“This is just the beginning,” Dončić said in a team statement. “I’m excited for what’s ahead and to keep building something special with this team.”
The Lakers acquired Dončić in a blockbuster February trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas—one of the biggest deals in recent NBA history. Since then, team officials, including owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka, have built a strong relationship with Dončić’s camp, including his agent Bill Duffy and longtime manager Lara Beth Seager.
“Luka is one of the game’s most special talents,” Pelinka said. “He’s a fierce competitor and a leader who’s all about winning. We believe he can bring championship basketball back to Los Angeles.”
Despite playing a career-low 50 games last season, Dončić led the Lakers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers after making his debut on February 10. He also became just the fifth player in franchise history to average at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a playoff series, though the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves in the first round.
Off the court, Dončić has already influenced the Lakers’ offseason moves. He helped recruit Marcus Smart and has a long-standing friendship with Deandre Ayton, both of whom signed with L.A. this summer.
Dončić also addressed concerns about his fitness in a recent Men’s Health feature. Head coach JJ Redick stressed that competing for a title will require the entire team to be in “championship shape.”
For the Lakers, securing Dončić’s future is the strongest signal yet that a new era has begun.
