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The Los Angeles Lakers are set to pay Luka Doncic a whopping $46 million for the 2025-26 season, marking the start of his first full year in purple and gold.
The five-time NBA All-Star recently signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension, including a player option in 2028, keeping him with the Lakers through the 2027-28 season. By securing the deal, Doncic bypassed free agency next summer and cemented his long-term future in Los Angeles.
"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 August 2. "Grateful to the Lakers, my teammates and all the fans who've shown so much love since day one. This is just the beginning. "
This could be just the beginning for Doncic
Luka still has one year left on his original contract with Dallas, which accounts for the $46 million paycheck this season - equating to roughly $560,000 per game.
The new contract is fully guaranteed, so his annual salary will average $53.6 million. Furthermore, if he opts out of the contract in 2028, Doncic will be eligible for a five-year, $417 million supermax contract.
The superstar joined the Lakers mid-season after a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks, playing in 28 games and posting averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range.
Fans have all their hopes pinned on Doncic
Despite his stellar numbers, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
Coming off a season where he led Dallas to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2011, Doncic enters his eighth NBA season ready to make a mark in Los Angeles, now with the security of a massive contract and the backing of Laker Nation.