Luka Doncic Calls $165M Lakers Contract 'Just the Beginning,' Posts Photo of Signing

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, per ESPN's Shams Charania, which includes a player option for the 2028-29 season.

Dončić posted the following on social media in the aftermath:

Saturday's news was the second-best scenario for the Lakers outside of Dončić inking the four-year, $229 million he could have signed.

Obviously, adding another year to the pact would have provided L.A. with even more security, but it was never going to happen. By signing a two-plus-one deal this summer, Dončić guaranteed he'll be eligible for either a four-year, $323 million extension in 2027 or a five-year, $418 million deal ahead of the 2028-29 season (assuming he declines his player option for that year, which he almost assuredly will barring a major decline in play or severe injury).

The goal in the interim is the same for both Dončić and the Lakers—win titles.

"This is a team that wants to win championships," a team source told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "That hasn't changed and it won't change in the future."

The 26-year-old Dončić is doing his part. After much was made of his weight, conditioning and durability following the Dallas Mavericks' stunning decision to trade him, you might have heard that Dončić has taken his offseason training very seriously this offseason.

"Every summer I try my best to work on different things," he told Andrew Heffernan and Ebenezer Samuel of Men's Health. "Obviously, I'm very competitive. This summer was just a little bit different, you know. It kind of motivated me to be even better."

That might have Nico Harrison feeling a bit perturbed, like a partner who instigates a breakup only to watch their ex suddenly make all of the needed life changes they once requested. The Lakers are more than happy to be that rebound, however.