The Los Angeles Lakers shook the entire NBA world up by acquiring Luka Doncic in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Acquiring a player of Doncic's ability and age made the deal a no-brainer for the Lakers, but trading away LeBron James' sidekick, Anthony Davis, felt like a clear signal that the Lakers were building toward a future centered around Doncic. That vision became even clearer on Saturday when the Lakers signed the all-world guard to a three-year, $165 million extension per Shams Charania of ESPN.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers All-NBA star Luka Doncic has signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the franchise, with a player option in 2028, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/oRxAVIm2oD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2025
This deal ensures Doncic will be in purple and gold through the 2027 campaign at the very least, and in all likelihood, this marriage will last far longer than that.
I just signed my extension with the Lakers. Excited to keep working to bring championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud. Grateful to the Lakers, my teammates and all the fans who’ve shown so much love since day one. This is just the beginning. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/PrTfTxxlpU
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) August 2, 2025
Doncic expressed his excitement about committing to the Lakers shortly after the deal was announced, even going as far as to say "this is just the beginning."
This statement confirmed what we already knew about Doncic and LeBron. This is Luka's team. The Lakers are building around him and his timeline, no matter how badly LeBron wants another ring now.
Luka Doncic extension confirms he's Lakers franchise star
Ultimately, this is just the latest sign Lakers fans needed to see that confirmed that Doncic is the Lakers' focus - not LeBron.
Shortly after he was acquired, the Lakers made a trade for Mark Williams, a young and ideal lob threat for Doncic who has thrived in the past with players of his archetype. Yes, the deal did not end up going through due to a failed physical, but that was an early sign that the Lakers were set on building around Doncic.
Just days after their season ended, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick led a four-person meeting with Doncic and his longtime manager, Lara Beth Seager. Here's what ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst said about that meeting:
"The purpose of the meeting was as clear as their choice of door: Doncic is the face of the franchise now, and the Lakers wanted him -- and everyone else -- to know it."
LeBron is arguably the greatest player in NBA history, but he's also a 40-year-old on an expiring contract. He, very clearly, is not part of the Lakers' future. Doncic, a 26-year-old phenom who might not even be in his prime yet, is the future.
If LeBron wants to stay in Los Angeles alongside Doncic, that's his prerogative. He accepted his $52.6 million player option and has a full no-trade clause in his contract as well. He'll just have to accept playing a role he never has in his historic career - second-fiddle to the true face of the franchise, Doncic.