The Los Angeles Lakers' future looks more clear after the team inked Luka Doncic to a maximum three-year, $165 million contract extension Saturday which keeps the star guard with the team through at least the 2028 season. He also gets a player option for the 2028-29 season where he could opt out to sign another max deal worth over $400 million.
Doncic's new long-term deal comes six months after L.A. shockingly traded for him with the Dallas Mavericks to become the franchise's star of the future. The timing of the acquisition and following extension comes toward the end of LeBron James's extraordinary NBA career. James opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for next season and mentioned he would be "closely monitoring" L.A.'s offseason amid his desire to compete for a championship in his final seasons.
