Luka Doncic signs 3-year, $165 million extension with Lakers

Luka Doncic is officially staying in Hollywood. The Los Angeles Lakers locked in their superstar guard to a lucrative three-year, $165 million extension, which includes a player option for 2028, per multiple reports. The news was confirmed by the team on Saturday, marking another major step in their efforts to build a championship contender around the Slovenian sensation.

The extension comes half a year after L.A. stunned the basketball world by landing Doncic in a blockbuster February deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Due to NBA rules limiting immediate post-trade extensions, the Lakers had to play the waiting game but now it's a done deal.

"I just signed my extension with the Lakers," Doncic posted on social media. "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."

The Lakers made waves last February when they pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Mavericks to bring in Luka Doncic, sending Anthony Davis to Dallas in return. Since arriving in L.A., Doncic has lived up to the hype, putting together another standout campaign with averages of 28.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. Teaming up with LeBron James, the duo powered the Lakers to 50 wins and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

Although Los Angeles was bounced by Minnesota in the opening round, Dončić’s short stint under the Hollywood lights was enough to win him over. He's now fully on board, preparing to run it back this fall alongside LeBron, who enters an unprecedented 23rd NBA season.

Doncic's growing bond with the franchise has been evident throughout the summer. He played a major role in recruiting Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, helping convince the seasoned vets to join forces with the Lakers for the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, Doncic's commitment to his craft hasn't gone unnoticed. After being trolled in Dallas for his conditioning and long-term fitness, the 25-year-old has silenced critics with a highly praised offseason training routine. Sources close to the Lakers say he’s in the best shape of his career — a far cry from the doubts that nudged the Mavs to cut ties with their cornerstone talent.

Dallas reportedly questioned whether Doncic could maintain elite defensive performance and championship-level durability deep into his career. But L.A. clearly believes otherwise, and they're betting big on him. Even if a title doesn't come in 2026, the Lakers now have peace of mind knowing their superstar is locked in long term.

Doncic made a splash in his first playoff run with the Lakers, joining elite company as just the fifth player in team history to average at least 30 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists over a single series. Still, despite his heroics, the Lakers' postseason dreams were short-lived — they bowed out in five games to a relentless Minnesota Timberwolves squad.

On the surface, Los Angeles looks locked into win-now mode. With LeBron James defying Father Time at 40 and still putting up All-NBA numbers, the Lakers have assembled a squad that includes rising star Austin Reaves, offseason addition Deandre Ayton, and the franchise’s newly crowned cornerstone in Doncic. All signs point to a team throwing all its chips into the middle of the table.

But while the Lakers are dreaming of banners, there's a tug-of-war brewing beneath the surface, one between the short-term urgency of LeBron's twilight and the long-term blueprint built around Luka. LeBron, still an ironman last season with 70 appearances and averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, is gearing up for another title chase at 41.

He's clearly not done yet, but if the Lakers fall short again, it's possible the King may call time on his Hollywood reign. While Doncic represents the future, another ringless run could signal the end of the LeBron era in L.A.