Luka Dončić has made a significant commitment to the Los Angeles Lakers following a major trade last season, officially signing a three-year, $165 million contract. This announcement was conveyed by his agent, Bill Duffy, and reported by Shams Charania of Moneyline. After his contract signing, Dončić promptly returned to training, demonstrating his dedication to succeeding with his new team.

Dončić had the opportunity to sign a four-year, $229 million extension this offseason and could have waited until the next summer to pursue a five-year, $296 million deal. However, he ultimately decided to proceed with the extension. Reports from Moneyline indicate that there was some uncertainty regarding his decision, with team insiders expressing their concerns about Dončić's commitment. Yet, his engagement during the offseason—recruiting new players to Los Angeles—provided reassurance to the franchise.

The trade that brought Dončić to Los Angeles from the Dallas Mavericks in February was a landmark move in NBA history, with the Mavericks receiving Anthony Davis in return. Dončić had already established himself as the cornerstone of the Mavericks, leading them to the NBA Finals the previous year. Although his new contract is substantial, it falls short of what he could have secured with the Mavericks. Following the trade, reports indicated that Dončić was no longer eligible for a super-max extension, which would have amounted to $345 million over five years. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. The Lakers experienced an uptick in performance after his arrival, earning the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, though their postseason performance fell short of high expectations as they were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Nevertheless, the Lakers have made adjustments to better complement Dončić's abilities, positioning themselves as contenders for the championship. Although he did not receive the super-max extension, Dončić is now aligned with a franchise that has the financial resources to potentially offer him an even larger contract in the future. As he embarks on this new chapter with the Lakers, Dončić aims to lead the team to its 18th championship.