Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic makes massive move regarding future with Lakers

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 1:11 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are Luka Doncic's team. That has been apparent since the franchise traded for him ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline earlier this year.

Throughout the summer, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has sought to bring in the type of talent that will accentuate Doncic's skill set. If reports are to be believed, Doncic has played a key role in the additions of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, who both joined after seeing their previous contracts bought out.

Pelinka's moves this summer have been calculated. The aim was to convince Doncic that his long-term future resided with the franchise. And on Saturday, Pelinka got his wish.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Doncic signed a three-year, $165M contract extension. There will be a player option for the 2028 season.

BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers All-NBA star Luka Doncic has signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the franchise, with a player option in 2028, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/oRxAVIm2oD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2025

The Doncic era is now truly underway. The Lakers have a runway to continue building around their 26-year-old superstar in the hopes of contending for a championship.

Doncic clearly understands there aren't many better situations in the NBA than to be the face of the Lakers organization. That's why he's signed on for an additional three years. The interesting part will be whether the Lakers continue to operate with the same sense of urgency in building around the star's heliocentric style of play,or whether they begin to take their foot off the gas.

The most logical answer is that they'll keep pushing forward, knowing they've got a top-five player for what could be the entirety of his prime years.

Now, all eyes will be on how Doncic and the new recruits handle the upcoming season, and whether JJ Redick can continue to implement his system and get the best out of his new-look roster. If not, Doncic's influence may stretch further than the team's player personnel.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: