Luka Dončić has officially committed to the Los Angeles Lakers following a significant trade earlier in the season. The star player agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract, as announced by his agent Bill Duffy.

After finalizing his contract, Dončić addressed the media during a press conference and promptly returned to training. He had the option for a four-year, $229 million extension this offseason and could have been eligible for a five-year, $296 million deal had he opted to wait until next summer. Despite the lucrative extension, concerns had arisen within the Lakers organization regarding Dončić's commitment, but he reassured the team by assisting in recruiting new players to Los Angeles in July.

In a surprising move last February, the Dallas Mavericks sent Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, marking one of the most significant trades in NBA history. Dončić, who had been the focal point for the Mavericks and led them to the NBA Finals the previous year, has a new contract that, while substantial, does not reach the levels he may have secured with his former team. ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted that after the trade, Dončić was disqualified from a super-max extension that could have netted him $345 million over five years. Over the 2024-25 season, Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game during his time with both Dallas and Los Angeles. Despite a promising late-season surge that saw the Lakers earn the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, they were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although the outcome was disappointing considering Dončić’s expected contributions alongside LeBron James, adjustments have been made to the Lakers' roster this offseason to better accommodate Dončić’s exceptional skill set. The franchise aims to leverage its financial resources to enhance the team’s competitiveness while pursuing their 18th championship.