Overview

• Luka Dončić finalized a three-year, $165 million extension with a 2028 player option, formally positioning him as the Lakers’ cornerstone.
• Lakers legend James Worthy praised Dončić’s offseason conditioning and said the early extension signals a long-term build that could attract teammates.
• Charles Barkley stated it is likely Dončić’s team now and suggested LeBron James will eventually move on, even as James has opted into 2025–26.
• Roster chatter centers on adding defense and a lob finisher for Dončić, with P.J. Washington cited in predictions, though Marc Stein reports Dallas is expected to extend Washington for roughly four years and $90 million.
• Dončić posted 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 games with Los Angeles last season, drew plaudits from Furkan Korkmaz, and enters camp with momentum from a notable physical transformation.