Overview

• Luka Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers that includes a player option for the 2028–29 season.
• The contract’s structure preserves salary cap flexibility to pursue a second superstar before Dončić becomes eligible for a supermax deal in 2028.
• LeBron James opted into his 2025–26 player option and congratulated Dončić on the extension, though his own long-term Lakers tenure is uncertain.
• Dončić has returned to Slovenia’s camp ahead of EuroBasket 2025, where Slovenia will compete in Group D in Katowice against Poland, France, Belgium, Iceland and Israel.
• Unconfirmed reports suggest that Dončić might decline his 2028 option to pursue a record-setting long-term contract.