Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 22, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Jamie Schwaberow, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially secured the commitment of their superstar Luka Dončić for the coming years.
The Slovenian will remain a Laker after he signed his three-year, $165-million maximum contract with the squad on August 2, and for Dončić, staying with the 17-time NBA Champions was an easy decision to make.
“I was kinda thinking — obviously not at the moment when I was traded — but later on when I started playing that I wanted to be here,” said Dončić. “This is an amazing organization. We trust each other, so I made up my mind pretty quickly.”
The five-time All-NBA First Team and five-time All-Star’s contract has a player option in the third year (2028). Opting out in that year sets him up for an even larger extension with the Lakers, one that can be as huge as a five-year, $417-million deal.
Dončić was previously traded to the Lakers last February 2 in a massive deal that saw him, Maxi Kleber, and Markeiff Morris move to LA, Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 1st round pick to the Dallas Mavericks, and Jalen Hood-Schifino and two future 2nd round picks to the Utah Jazz.
The 6-foot-6, 26-year-old guard himself was initially shocked about his transfer to the Lakers, but exactly six months later, Dončić has fully embraced donning the Purple and Gold.
“Being a Laker is an honor, and I wanted to be here,” he said. “So many great names, and I want [my jersey retired and] to be up there, too, one day. It’s an honor playing for this organization. Many, many greats played here, so obviously, I want to add one more up there.”
For Lakers President and General Manager Rob Pelinka, getting the commitment of Dončić was a historic move for their franchise.
“Six months ago to the day the Los Angeles Lakers chose Luka Dončić through a trade. Today, Luka Dončić chose the Los Angeles Lakers, and that is a monumental moment in Lakers history,” he said.
Now that things are officially set, Dončić and the Lakers shift their focus back on preparing for their championship pursuit in the coming years.
“Honestly, I think we have a great team,” Dončić pointed out. “We have what we need to compete for a championship. We’ll try to win every game, and we have some great guys, so we’re gonna go for it.”
In their eventful first season with Dončić, the Lakers finished as the third seed in the West in the regular season, and eventually bowed out in round 1 of the playoffs after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
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