Luka Dončić has solidified his commitment to the Los Angeles Lakers by signing a three-year, $165 million contract extension, which includes a player option in the final year. While Dončić could have opted for a more extensive four-year, $229 million deal, strategic considerations appear to have influenced his decision to pursue this shorter-term agreement.

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the player option for the 2028-29 season allows Dončić the opportunity to enter free agency in the summer of 2028. This could enable him to secure a five-year contract exceeding $400 million, a significant increase compared to the anticipated five-year supermax deal of approximately $340 million he would have been eligible to sign with the Dallas Mavericks this summer. Stein further highlighted that he would also qualify for a full no-trade clause in his next contract, contingent upon his unrestricted free agency status and the signing of an entirely new agreement.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin projected that if Dončić decides to forgo his 2028-29 player option, he could command a five-year extension valued at around $418 million. This monumental contract could position him as the first player in NBA history to earn an annual salary of $80 million, translating to nearly $1 million for each game played. The final year of such a deal might approach $95 million, reflecting the substantial financial stakes as he becomes the face of a franchise valued at $10 billion. Stein noted that while players typically must accrue eight years of service to qualify for a no-trade clause, Dončić would be seen as a four-year member of the Lakers at the time of this potential signing. Though circumstances could shift dramatically over the next three years, with injuries or performance fluctuations potentially impacting his journey, it is evident that maintaining Dončić's satisfaction within the organization will be paramount for the Lakers in the foreseeable future.