Jan 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Pau Gasol stands courtside before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Pau Gasol Congratulates Luka Doncic On Contract Extension

Originally posted on Lakers Nation | By Matt Peralta | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 11:10 AM ET

It’s an exciting time for the Los Angeles Lakers as they secured their next face of the franchise in Luka Doncic after the star signed a three-year extension this past weekend.

Doncic had been expected to sign his extension for weeks and made it a reality after he returned to Los Angeles as part of his Jordan Brand tour. The timing of the tour was perfect as it allowed Doncic to be present for the first day the Lakers could officially offer his extension.

There is no shortage of ramifications Doncic’s extension has, though the main thing is the team now has a clear direction and path forward toward contention. At his peak, Doncic has a case to be the best basketball player in the world and after getting in shape this summer he’s poised to make another leap.

Members of the Lakers family like Pau Gasol are thrilled to have Doncic in L.A. and the franchise legend offered his congratulations to the star, via his personal X account:

Congratulations on your extension, happy for you and proud of the efforts your foundation is making to break down the barriers that too often stand in the way of young athletes chasing their dreams. @luka7doncic https://t.co/lSsNR2RzSc

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 5, 2025

Gasol is beloved amongst the Lakers fan base for helping lead the team to back-to-back titles, and it’s great to see him celebrating Doncic’s commitment. Gasol has remained close to the organization since retiring and it’s clear that he’s enjoying the chance for it to finally compete for titles again. He also made sure to praise Doncic for his charitable efforts, which includes a $5 million pledge to youth athletes as well as a new ambassador partnership with ESPN’s Take Back Sports initiative.

The storied franchise operates like a close-knit family, something Doncic can likely appreciate given he’s a loyal player who would have preferred to spend his career with just one team. To this day, it’s still baffling that the Dallas Mavericks would trade a generational superstar like Doncic but the Lakers are certainly happy he’s now on their side.

Luka Doncic has moved on from Mavericks trade

Luka Doncic was understandably heartbroken after he was dealt by the Mavericks because he had assumed he would never leave. Doncic didn’t quite look himself in the second half of last season due to the change in environment and emotions over the trade, but the Lakers star is apparently over it and has moved on.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Lakers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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