Luka Dončić has officially signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, which includes a player option for the final year. This strategic decision allows Dončić the flexibility to evaluate his options as he could have opted for a more extended four-year, $229 million agreement. Reports indicate that the player option for the 2028-29 season positions him to enter free agency in the summer of 2028, with the potential to sign a five-year contract exceeding $400 million, thereby surpassing the initial expectations of a five-year supermax worth around $340 million that he was projected to sign with the Dallas Mavericks this summer.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, this potential new deal would not just be financially advantageous, but it would also qualify Dončić for a full no-trade clause if he proceeds to unrestricted free agency and enters into a new contract. ESPN's Dave McMenamin has projected that the five-year extension available to Dončić should he decline the player option for the 2028-29 season could be valued at approximately $418 million. This deal would position him to make about $80 million per season, equating to nearly $1 million per game, an unprecedented figure in the league's history. The final year of this theoretical agreement would approach a staggering $95 million, emphasizing Dončić's significance as the centerpiece of a franchise valued at $10 billion.

Stein further elaborates on the conditions surrounding no-trade clauses, noting that players must accrue eight years of service time and complete four seasons with the same team to qualify. While Dončić would be slightly below four complete seasons with the Lakers at the time of signing a potential five-year contract, league sources expect he would be acknowledged as a four-year Laker because he would have concluded four consecutive seasons with the team. However, many factors could influence Dončić's trajectory in Los Angeles, including possible injuries or underperformance. Assuming he maintains his current career trajectory and health, the Lakers are likely to prioritize keeping him with the franchise. The organization’s efforts to secure his long-term happiness may involve offering a lucrative contract with a no-trade clause included. While such clauses can be tricky, as illustrated by the experiences of teams like the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns with Bradley Beal, the Lakers have swiftly established Dončić as the new face of their franchise, moving beyond the era of LeBron James. Thus, ensuring Dončić’s contentment will likely be a top priority for the organization in the coming decade.