Luka Doncic signed a maximum contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $165 million over three years with a player option in 2028, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Saturday.
Doncic, 26, was shockingly traded to the Lakers in the middle of the last NBA season. His first half-season in purple and gold alongside LeBron James went reasonably well, as Doncic helped the Lakers make the playoffs; they were eliminated in the first round in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the 2024-25 season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.
Doncic still had one remaining year left on his old max deal and could have waited until next summer to sign an even more lucrative contract as an unrestricted free agent. But it seems he wanted to show his commitment to Los Angeles as early as possible. Doncic's extension ties him to the Lakers until 2028— at which point he will be 29 years old and eligible for another max deal worth nearly $500 million, as noted by Charania.
The Lakers' future is secure. Doncic will be the face of the franchise as James finishes out his last NBA seasons.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Luka Doncic Signs Huge Maximum Contract Extension With Lakers.
