Luka Dončić has officially signed a three-year extension worth $165 million with the Los Angeles Lakers, which includes a player option for the final year. This decision allows Dončić the flexibility to explore free agency in the summer of 2028.

Although Dončić was eligible to sign a four-year deal valued at $229 million, he has opted for the shorter agreement, primarily to position himself for a potentially more lucrative contract in the future. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the player option for the 2028-29 season enables him to enter free agency and pursue a five-year contract exceeding $400 million. This further deal could surpass the initial supermax agreement anticipated with the Dallas Mavericks, estimated at around $340 million.

In this context, ESPN's Dave McMenamin has projected that a five-year extension following the 2028-29 player option could be valued at approximately $418 million, marking a significant milestone in NBA salary history. Such a contract could position Dončić as the first player to receive an annual salary of $80 million, translating to nearly $1 million per game. Furthermore, the final year of this potential contract could approach a staggering $95 million. As for the stipulations of the no-trade clause, Stein has indicated that eligibility for this clause hinges on a player having eight years of service time as well as four seasons with the same team, which Dončić would meet, despite being with the Lakers for approximately 3.5 seasons at that point.

In the evolving landscape of professional basketball, Dončić's trajectory could dramatically shift over the next few years due to potential injuries or a decline in performance. However, should he sustain his current career path and maintain relative health, the Lakers are likely to prioritize retaining him with a highly lucrative contract that may include a no-trade clause. Overall, the Lakers have strategically positioned Dončić as the face of the franchise, marking a significant transition in their team dynamics and reinforcing their commitment to keeping him satisfied in the years to come.