Luka Dončić Signs $165m Max Extension To Stay With La Lakers Through 2028

Luka Dončić is staying successful Los Angeles. The five-time All-NBA defender has agreed to a three-year, $165m maximum statement hold pinch nan Lakers, ESPN reported Saturday. The woody includes a subordinate action for nan 2028–29 play and replaces his anterior contract, which featured a subordinate action for 2026–27.

Dončić, 26, now avoids free agency adjacent summertime and positions himself for an moreover larger woody successful 2028, erstwhile he would beryllium eligible for a projected five-year, $417m statement worthy 35% of nan net cap.

“This is conscionable nan beginning,” Dončić said successful a squad statement. “I’m excited for what’s up and to support building thing typical pinch this team.”

The Lakers acquired Dončić in a February blockbuster that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, 1 of nan astir seismic trades successful caller NBA history. Since then, squad officials led by politician Jeanie Buss and caput of hoops operations Rob Pelinka person forged a adjacent narration pinch Dončić’s camp, including supplier Bill Duffy and longtime business head Lara Beth Seager.

“Luka is 1 of nan game’s astir transcendent players,” Pelinka said. “He’s a fierce competitor and a leader who’s committed to winning. We judge he tin bring title hoops backmost to Los Angeles.”

Despite playing a career-low 50 games past season, Dončić led nan Lakers successful points, rebounds, assists, steals and made threes aft debuting connected 10 February. He besides became conscionable nan 5th subordinate successful franchise history to mean astatine slightest 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists successful a playoff series, though the Lakers fell to nan Timberwolves successful nan first round.

Off nan court, Dončić has already shaped nan Lakers’ offseason. He helped enlistee Marcus Smart and shares a long-standing relationship pinch Deandre Ayton, some of whom signed pinch LA this summer.

Dončić besides addressed long-standing concerns astir his conditioning successful a caller Men’s Health feature. Head coach JJ Redick emphasized that title contention will require nan full roster to get into “championship shape”.

For nan Lakers, locking successful Dončić is nan clearest motion yet that a caller era has arrived.