Luka Dončić is staying in Los Angeles — and securing the bag before heading to Europe.
The Slovenian superstar is reportedly set to sign a four-year, $229 million contract extension with the Lakers ahead of his national team duties at EuroBasket. According to SportKlub, via Sportal, the deal is expected to be finalized before Dončić reports to Slovenia’s training camp in early August.
Slovenian national team head coach Aleksander Sekulić also confirmed Dončić’s expected arrival time, noting, “I expect him to arrive after August 4th, when he will have completed all his obligations in the USA.”
Dončić’s upcoming deal solidifies his future in L.A. and puts to rest any speculation surrounding his commitment to the franchise. The extension would make him one of the highest-paid players in the league — and it comes on the heels of an eventful offseason.
Earlier this July, the Lakers made a big splash by signing DeAndre Ayton. Reports suggest Dončić played a significant role behind the scenes in helping the team land the former Phoenix Suns center. His growing influence within the organization reflects not just his star power but also his leadership off the court.
And that influence wasn’t limited to the Lakers.
Marcus Smart recently shared that Dončić had attempted to recruit him to the Dallas Mavericks before Smart chose the Lakers instead. “He reached out twice,” Smart revealed during an interview, highlighting Dončić’s efforts to build a competitive squad — even if it didn’t go as planned.
On the court, Dončić continues to deliver. He recently dropped 45 points in a crucial win against the Mavericks that sealed the Lakers’ playoff spot — a reminder of why the franchise is investing heavily in his future.
As EuroBasket approaches, Dončić’s focus will soon shift to representing Slovenia on the international stage. But first, he’ll be securing his long-term place at the heart of the Lakers’ championship ambitions.
