Luka Dončić has formally committed to the Los Angeles Lakers following a significant trade earlier in the season. On Saturday, Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million contract, as confirmed by his agent, Bill Duffy, to ESPN's Shams Charania. After the press conference where he addressed reporters, Dončić promptly returned to training, indicating his dedication to the franchise.

Initially, Dončić was a candidate for a four-year, $229 million extension this offseason. Had he chosen to wait until the following summer, he would have qualified for a five-year, $296 million deal. However, despite the lucrative nature of his new contract, the Lakers experienced some uncertainty regarding Dončić's commitment, as expressed by ESPN's Brian Windhorst. Yet, the player demonstrated his intention to join the Lakers by helping in the recruitment of several new teammates in Los Angeles during July.

In February, the NBA witnessed a surprising move when Dallas traded Dončić to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, marking one of the most significant trades in league history. As the former face of the franchise, Dončić led Dallas to the NBA Finals a year ago. His performance during the 2024-25 season saw him average 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game between Dallas and Los Angeles. Following Dončić's arrival, the Lakers enjoyed a late-season surge, seizing the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. However, they could not fulfill the high expectations set for them, ultimately falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Although this outcome was viewed as disappointing given Dončić's stature and his partnership with LeBron James, the Lakers had built their roster around a star big man in Davis instead of a star point guard like Dončić. This offseason, the Lakers have made adjustments to better align their roster with Dončić's talents, positioning them as contenders for the championship as they seek their 18th title.