Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2028 season, his agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN.
The extension removes Doncic from next summer’s free agency pool and replaces the 2026-27 player option from his previous deal. With the new agreement, Doncic is positioned to opt out in 2028 and become eligible for a five-year, $417 million contract worth 35% of the projected salary cap—recovering the earnings he missed out on after being traded by the Dallas Mavericks, who could have offered him a five-year, $315 million supermax this summer.
While the Lakers formally announced the extension on Saturday, they did not publicly disclose the financial terms.
“I’m really grateful to the Lakers organization, my teammates, and the fans for welcoming me and my family with so much support and kindness since day one,” Doncic said in a statement. “This is an amazing organization, and I truly believe in what we’re building together. I’m going to keep working as hard as I can to bring another championship to Los Angeles and to make Laker Nation proud.
”This is just the beginning. I’m excited for what’s ahead and to keep building something special with this team.”
Doncic was traded to the Lakers six months ago in a blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas—one of the most shocking trades in recent NBA memory. Since then, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, and new owner Mark Walter have developed a strong relationship with Doncic, his business manager Lara Beth Seager, and his agent.
Pelinka called Doncic “one of the game’s most transcendent players” during the extension announcement.
“Luka is an absolute killer on the court and blends that with a unique generosity and care for the community,” said Pelinka. “Above all else, Luka will lead our franchise in pursuit of future championships—a goal that will always define the Lakers.”
In a season where he played a career-low 50 games due to injuries, Doncic still averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists across his time with both Dallas and L.A.
After debuting for the Lakers on February 10, he led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers per game.
A five-time All-NBA First Team selection, Doncic has also made an impact off the court. He was instrumental in the Lakers’ offseason acquisitions of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart—recruiting Smart via calls while traveling and maintaining a strong connection with Ayton, the No. 1 pick in their shared draft class.
In a recent Men’s Health interview, Doncic discussed his body transformation and improved conditioning—an area of concern during his time in Dallas. Lakers head coach JJ Redick emphasized the need for players to be in “championship shape” during his end-of-season remarks, a challenge Doncic seems to have embraced.
Doncic has consistently performed at an elite level in the postseason. During the Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals run, he became the first player in league history to lead all players in points, rebounds, assists, and steals during a single playoff run.
In his first postseason appearance with the Lakers, he averaged 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a series—becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to do so—though the Lakers were ultimately eliminated in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
