Luka Doncic makes seven-figure pledge after signing Lakers extension that could pave way for NBA’s first $500million contract 

Luka Doncic has officially committed his future to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was announced on Saturday that the NBA superstar has penned a three-year, $165million extension to remain with the Hollywood outfit – who have just been sold for a record $10billion – with his deal including a player option in 2028.

X/ @luka7doncic

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, by signing this contract now, instead of testing free agency next summer, Doncic is therefore eligible for a projected deal worth five-years and $417m in 2028. 

Of course, this current figure is just an estimation and could yet skyrocket over the next few years as a result of the year-upon-year increasing NBA cap.

Thus, this number could yet edge even closer to breaking the half-billion mark, a contract that has only been seen in the MLB with Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, both of whom have contracts that have eclipsed $700m, albeit both have been over decade-long deals. 

Nonetheless, this deal provides the 17-time NBA champions with a huge amount of flexibility going into 2026 free agency, as they seek to build a bona fide playoff contender around their franchise point guard. 

Breaking down the numbers and giving back to the community

NBA number cruncher Keith Smith projects the Lakers to have an estimated $54m available in cap space, though this figure could rise up to $84m depending on what happens with Austin Reaves’ cap hold.  

Doncic was quick to post to social media the extension announcement in his own words, calling this move ‘just the beginning’. 

“I just signed my extension with the Lakers,” the Slovenian wrote. “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”

‘Luka Magic’ followed this statement up with a second, in which he pledged to help the future generation of athletes all over the world by donating $5m to help them fulfil their dreams.

“Today I’m also committing $5m to help 77 young athletes around the world chase their dreams, just like I did,” Doncic added. “Basketball gave me everything, and I’m lucky to be able to give back and help the next generation.”  

This isn’t the first time Doncic has given back to the community, having donated $500,000 to wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles back in February, as well as pay $5,000 to restore a vandalized mural of Lakers icon, the late Kobe Bryant.

Getty

Getty

History could be on the horizon

Should Doncic want to remain in Los Angeles beyond 2028, then he would be eligible for an unprecedented extension, which would surpass Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum’s historic contract by a significant margin. 

In July 2024, Tatum agreed to a five-year, $315m extension that saw him become the recipient of the richest contract in NBA history, commanding upwards of $55m a season, with him set to earn $71m annually in the final year of his deal through the 2029-30 season. 

Although Doncic’s new deal is set to see him earn upwards of $49m annually, should he sign a max extension in 2028, then the projected $417m sum would see him earn approximately $83.4m in annual average salary. 

Following his unwanted move from the Dallas Mavericks to Los Angeles in a blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves all over the NBA, Doncic has dialled in to put himself physically into the best position to succeed once the 2025-26 campaign gets underway.

Having been criticised by members of the Mavs organization for his body conditioning, it appears that the 26-year-old has taken these comments personally. 

In an offseason workout video posted online, Doncic can be seen squatting 720lbs worth of plates, and has shown off his slimmed-down physique.

Some media personnel around the league, though, are slightly skeptical of just how quickly he has transformed his body.

At the end of last season, Lakers head coach JJ Redick hinted that his players need to prioritise getting in optimal shape for next season. 

“I’ll start with the offseason and the work that’s required in an offseason to be in championship shape and we have a ways to go as a roster,” Redick said.

“And certainly there were individuals that were in phenomenal shape. There’s certainly other ones that could have been in better shape.

“It’s where my mind goes immediately is we have to get in championship shape.”

Still only 26-years-old, it is still somewhat surprising that Doncic has already played seven years in the league. 

In 450 outings in the NBA, the five-time All-Star has averaged 28.6 points shooting at a 46.8 percent clip, 8.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.2 steals, thus seeing him regarded as one of the best players in the league right now.

After trading who everyone thought was their long-term franchise superstar, the Mavericks have awoken a monster in Doncic, and monsters don’t play kindly to being disrespected.

This will only serve to benefit the Lakers, whose other superstar player LeBron James’ future with the LakeShow is cloudy.