Lakers' Luka Doncic Sends Clear Warning to NBA After Extension
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Los Angeles Lakers are building around Luka Doncic now. LeBron James is still in town, but Doncic has officially taken over as the face of the franchise.
After acquiring Doncic in a shocking blockbuster deal with the Dallas Mavericks last season, the main question facing the Lakers had to do with his future. Doncic needed a new contract and no one knew exactly when that extension would come.
That question has now been answered.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo byOn Saturday, it was reported that Doncic had agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with Los Angeles. He has a player option in 2028.
Read more: Report: Lakers Monitoring Interesting Roster Move
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was the first one to reveal the extension.
"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," Charania wrote on X.
Doncic also took to social media to announce that he had signed his new extension with the team.
"I just signed my extension with the Lakers," Doncic 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."
Following his extension being signed, Doncic spoke out with a clear warning to the rest of the NBA.
"I don't want to wait. I got a taste of the Finals," Doncic said. "I'm getting back."
Read more: Pelicans' Zion Williamson Receives Major Future Update
Last season after being traded to the Lakers, Doncic played in 28 games. He averaged 28.2 points per game to go along with 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals. In addition, he shot 43.8 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from the three-point line.
At just 26 years old, Doncic will be the face of Los Angeles for many years to come. In the 2025-26 season, he'll look to make what could be his final push alongside of James to win a championship.
Regardless of what happens during the upcoming season, the Lakers will now be in good hands. Doncic is hungry to prove himself and will now be able to do just that on arguably the biggest stage in the NBA.
For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lakers, Luka Doncic agree to $165 million contract extension
The post Lakers, Luka Doncic agree to $165 million contract extension appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers and superstar guard Luka Doncic are in agreement on a three-year, $165 million max contract extension, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints on Saturday. By agreeing to this max extension, Doncic has proven that he is committed to being the face of the Lakers for the foreseeable future. He is now under contract in Los Angeles through the 2028-29 NBA season. He will be eligible for a five-year contract that will exceed $400 million in 2028 should he utilize his player option. It was expected that the two sides would agree to a new contract extension with Doncic finishing his Jordan Brand tour in Los Angeles before returning to Europe for the EuroBasket 2025 tournament with Slovenia. After being traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks in one of the most shocking and historic trades made in NBA history before the trade deadline, Doncic instantly paved a path for this organization to regain its footing in the Western Conference championship equation. Many had questioned what this franchise would do once LeBron James retires, given their lack of a young core, and Doncic's arrival made the answer clear. James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season and will once again be next to Luka on the Lakers' roster for what many have speculated to be his final season in Los Angeles. Whether LeBron ultimately retires after the upcoming year or continues his career elsewhere is the question at large. Nonetheless, the Lakers have made it clear that they are committed to building their team around Doncic, and that is apparent with this new $165 million extension. ESPN was first to report Doncic's agreement with Los Angeles on Saturday. The Lakers' young star has the full support of new ownership led by majority owner Mark Walter, who is also in charge of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB, and this organization will continue to build a contending roster around him. This offseason, Luka was a leading voice in the Lakers' ability to land both Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart after they were bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards, respectively. It is expected that the Slovenian star will continue to work closely with executive Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' front office when it comes to key roster decisions year after year. Doncic, 26, has cemented himself as one of the best basketball players in the world through his first seven NBA seasons. Aside from being named an All-Star and to the All-NBA list five different times, Doncic has also finished inside the top five of the MVP voting three different times. He won the league's scoring title with the Mavs during the 2023-24 season after averaging 33.9 points per game, the highest single-season scoring average since James Harden averaged 34.3 points per game with the Houston Rockets during the 2019-20 season. Last season, Luka was severely limited due to a left calf strain, and he played in a career-low 50 games. Even so, he still averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game between Dallas and Los Angeles, proving that he is one of the league's best all-around offensive weapons when healthy. This offseason, Doncic has devoted time to taking care of his body and using the trade as extra motivation to remain at his best conditioning level. 'Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,' Doncic told Men's Health in an offseason exclusive detailing his body transformation. 'If I stop now, it was all for nothing.' All that matters to Doncic is performing at the highest level possible to contend for a championship. That is why he has been so devoted to getting in shape this summer, and that is why he will look to reach new heights during the 2025-26 season in Los Angeles. Only Doncic and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo have averaged at least 28 points per game in each of the last four seasons. He is also one of two players in the league to average at least 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists every year since the 2021-22 season, joining three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Doncic is now the only player on the Lakers' payroll past the 2027-28 season. The Lakers can be aggressive in their hunt for more star-level talent around Doncic over the next several seasons, as Los Angeles can open up over $100 million in cap space in 2026, which could then carry over to 2027 when All-Stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyler Herro, and Trae Young potentially hit the open market. With James' future past this season clouded, the Lakers have gone all-in on building a championship-caliber core with and around Doncic moving forward. Related: Lakers' Luka Doncic nails insane trick shot after contract extension Related: Lakers' Luka Dončić's thankful message to LA after landing new contract
Newsweek
39 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Knicks Receive Massive Giannis Antetokounmpo Update
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Knicks appear to be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. With the Indiana Pacers dealing with a season-ending injury to Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics waiting on Jayson Tatum to recovery from his torn Achilles, the Knicks are in a great position. After making a run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season and losing to the Pacers, they could be the favorite. During the offseason, New York made a big move. It decided to part ways with former head coach Tom Thibodeau and replace him with Mike Brown. Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 18, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 18, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images As far as roster additions, the Knicks went out in NBA free agency and signed both Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to improve their bench. Read more: Bucks Receive Worrying Giannis Antetokounmpo Update Both of those moves will add quality depth for New York's second unit. However, the team has its eyes set on a much bigger fish. Of course, that fish is current Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Over the last year, the Knicks have been constantly mentioned as a potential suitor for Antetokounmpo if he chooses to leave the Bucks. That possibility is still very much alive. On Monday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo has not decided whether or not he'll stay in Milwaukee. "Sources tell me there's still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving," Charania said. Following that report, a new update was given on New York's interest in the "Greek Freak." That update was shared by James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. "It is my understanding that Leon Rose and company have been monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo's situation in Milwaukee very closely, even before the offseason started," Edwards wrote. "Many around the league believe the Knicks are interested in star hunting, and while that opportunity hasn't popped up yet, I certainly believe it's in the cards if the right situation presents itself." Read more: Dan Patrick Goes Off on Lakers' Bronny James for Odd Reason If Antetokounmpo does decide that he wants a fresh start away from the Bucks, the Knicks would instantly be a top contender to trade for him. They would have to give up a lot to get him, but he could lead New York back to the NBA Finals. Expect to continue hearing rumors and reports about Antetokounmpo's future. In the meantime, the Knicks will continue watching the situation closely and waiting to pounce if he decides he wants out. For more on the New York Knicks and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
NBC Sports
41 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Cavaliers' Darius Garland may not be ready for start of training camp after toe surgery
'I feel great. The recovery process is going well.' That is all Darius Garland would say to Chris Fedor of about surgery on his big toe back in June after that injury severely limited him in the playoffs, a key reason for the Cavaliers' early second-round exit. Fedor next asked Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson about Garland's recovery and learned the All-Star point guard may not be ready for the start of training camp. Here is what Fedor said on the Wine and Gold podcast about talking to Atkinson. And I asked him, I said, 'You know, as a coach, you lost Ty Jerome and Darius Garland is obviously recovering from toe surgery. Are you anticipating Darius being ready for training?' And he said, 'No, I don't decide these things. It's going to be up to Darius and the training staff led by Steve Spiro.' But he said, 'I don't expect him to, and I want him to take his time with this, and we're not going to push it. We're not going to rush it... 'We have Don (Donovan Mitchell). We have Lonzo (Ball). We have CP (Craig Porter Jr.). We are kind of covered. We also have Evan (Mobley), where we can throw it to him in a trail position and have him be a play-maker.' The Cavaliers should not rush it. How important Garland is to the Cavaliers' success was clearly evident in the playoffs — they need him fully healthy. Last season, Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, shooting 40.1% from 3. In the playoffs that fell off to 18 points and 5.2 assists a game, but he played in just five postseason games because of the turf toe injury and was far less efficient, shooting just 28.6% from 3. Cleveland enters the season as the clear favorite to grab the No. 1 seed in the East this coming season, but they need to prove they can carry that over to the playoffs this time. Coming off a 64-win season and with a very deep team, Atkinson can afford to monitor and rest players more while still racking up plenty of wins to get the top seed. What matters more is a rested and healthy Cavaliers team heading into the playoffs, because that team has a legitimate chance to make the Finals. What matters is the big picture. And if that means Garland misses some of training camp, that's just fine.
