Mar 29, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Lakers' Luka Doncic delivers cold three-word message about Mavericks

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Austin Veazey | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 12:14 PM ET

Luka Doncic just signed a new three-year, $165 million contract extension to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. And unlike most Dallas Mavericks fans, it seems he is finally over the trade.

Doncic will be the first to admit he was emotional after the trade. He was expecting to be in Dallas for his entire career before Nico Harrison shockingly sent him to Los Angeles in February. You could see the emotion on his face at the introductory press conference with the Lakers, and even more so in his first game back at the American Airlines Center. That was a man who never wanted to leave the Mavericks, but he wasn't given a choice.

However, "He's moved on [from the Mavericks]," his manager, Lara Beth Seager, revealed to Dan Woike of The Athletic.

Doncic admitted to being "mentally kind of exhausted from everything" after his Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team Doncic dominated as a Maverick the year before. But once the season was over, he got right to work.

Headlines were made when Luka Doncic appeared on the cover of Men's Health Magazine, showcasing his new body transformation. His conditioning and physique were called into question, really for the last two years, and that motivated him to drop some weight. We'll get our first look at the new and improved Luka Doncic during EuroBasket starting this month.

Doncic and his team have done a tremendous job of rebuilding his public perception this offseason, using the magazine appearance and a United States tour with Jordan Brand. During that tour, he poked fun at the Mavs while on the broadcast for the New York Yankees, saying they probably saw his new image but that he didn't have to worry about that anymore.

Luka Doncic's New Contract

The Mavericks partially inspired Doncic's new three-year deal. Because they traded him before he could sign his supermax extension with the team, they cost him a lot of money due to the CBA rules. However, his accolades allow him to get a massive payday once he reaches ten years in the NBA, and this contract that he signed will allow him to take advantage of it.

Doncic can opt out after two years to sign a five-year, $418 million contract with the Lakers, which would make up for most of the value lost by the Mavericks trading him.

This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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