Luka Doncic signs $165 million max extension with Lakers as LeBron James drama lingers

The Lakers’ future will feature Luka Doncic as their focal point.

Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million max contract extension with Los Angeles that includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, according to ESPN.

“I just signed my extension with the Lakers. Excited to keep working to bring championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud,” Doncic wrote on X. “Grateful to the Lakers, my teammates and all the fans who’ve shown so much love since day one. This is just the beginning. 💜💛”

The Lakers acquired Doncic during the season in one of the most polarizing trades in NBA history, and it had long been assumed they would sign him to a max deal.

This signing comes amid rumors about the 40-year-old LeBron James’ future with the franchise, with the future Hall of Famer in the last year of his contract.

There have been trade rumors involving James, but there has not been much national chatter on that front since he initially opted into this player option for the upcoming season.