In his recent interview with ESPN, Luka Doncic says he will sign a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In a move that has stunned the basketball world and could shift the balance of power in the NBA for years to come, Luka Dončić has revealed in an exclusive ESPN interview that he intends to sign a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. The announcement comes just days after his Dallas Mavericks were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, and speculation about his future began to swirl again.

Dončić, widely regarded as one of the top five players in the world and the centerpiece of the Mavericks since being drafted in 2018, now appears poised to take his talents to Hollywood, not just as a marquee star — but as the potential future face of the most storied franchise in NBA history.

“I’ve made up my mind,” Dončić told ESPN’s Malika Andrews during a candid sit-down aired Sunday evening. “I’m going to Los Angeles. I’m ready to sign an extension with the Lakers and begin the next chapter of my career.”

The news comes as both a bombshell and a culmination of a months-long quiet courtship that league insiders say began behind the scenes shortly after the 2025 All-Star Game. While Dončić remained publicly committed to the Mavericks throughout the 2024–25 season, frustrations had reportedly mounted over roster construction, coaching inconsistency, and stalled playoff progress.

The Lakers, meanwhile, had positioned themselves for a big move — clearing cap space, adding draft assets, and setting up a flexible roster under the direction of new ownership led by Dodgers and Chelsea FC investor Mark Walter.

Now, they’ve landed the biggest star of all.

Dončić’s decision to join the Lakers may be the biggest free-agent or trade-related shift since LeBron James came to Los Angeles in 2018. At just 26 years old, Luka brings a combination of youth, experience, and transcendent skill unmatched by any player available in recent memory.

In 2024–25, Dončić averaged a league-leading 32.8 points, 9.9 assists, and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range. He carried the Mavericks to a 47–35 record despite limited support from his supporting cast and ongoing issues with team defense and front-office direction.

By joining the Lakers, Dončić will not only be surrounded by greater talent — he’ll also be stepping into the role of franchise cornerstone, heir to a throne held by Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.

“This is the Lakers’ way,” said ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “When they feel their window closing, they break it open. And Luka Dončić is not just a win-now move — he’s the next 10 years of this franchise.”

The most fascinating subplot is the intersection of Luka Dončić’s prime and the twilight of LeBron James’ legendary career. James, 40, recently agreed to a three-year extension with the Lakers, widely believed to be his final contract. That extension was designed not just to keep LeBron in Los Angeles through his son Bronny’s early NBA years, but to serve as a transition into a new era.

Luka Dončić now becomes the centerpiece of that transition.

According to multiple league sources, LeBron and Dončić have maintained a close friendship for years, with LeBron even referring to Dončić as “my favorite player to watch” during a 2023 press conference. It is believed that LeBron had a direct hand in pitching Luka on the Lakers vision, acting not just as a teammate, but a mentor willing to hand over the leadership of the franchise.

“It means the world,” Dončić said during the interview. “To have LeBron’s respect, his support… it made this decision easier. He’s someone I’ve looked up to my whole life. To learn from him, to share the court with him, that’s something you dream about.”

While LeBron’s minutes and usage will likely continue to decline, he is expected to remain an influential figure within the organization both on and off the court. Dončić, for his part, has said he welcomes the opportunity to learn under the all-time scoring leader — but that he’s ready to take the reins when needed.

Though the formal terms of Dončić’s contract are pending the league’s free agency window, ESPN’s Bobby Marks estimates the extension will be in the range of five years, $318 million, making it the largest in NBA history to date.

Because Luka is still technically under contract with Dallas through the 2026 season, the only way for this extension to materialize now is via sign-and-trade, which sources say is already in motion. Multiple reports indicate the Lakers and Mavericks are finalizing a package that includes:

• Austin Reaves
• Max Christie
• Three future first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030)
• Two pick swaps

The Lakers are reportedly adamant about keeping Anthony Davis and Bronny James in the fold, with the goal of pairing Luka and AD as the franchise’s new power duo while developing Bronny and other young prospects around them.

Dallas, while losing its generational talent, gains a treasure trove of picks and young players to begin a full rebuild under a new front office.

What led Dončić to this moment?

Sources close to the star say that while he was never dissatisfied with Dallas as a city or his bond with fans, he grew increasingly frustrated with the Mavericks’ inability to consistently field a championship-caliber roster. Despite acquiring Kyrie Irving in 2023 and trying several midseason trades, the Mavericks never advanced past the second round with Dončić.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the Lakers were making their case. GM Rob Pelinka, new team president Joey Buss, and advisor Magic Johnson all had conversations with Dončić’s representatives throughout the season. They emphasized the stability of Los Angeles’ basketball infrastructure, its marketability, and its track record with global superstars — from Kareem to Shaq to Kobe to LeBron.

For Dončić, who has spent his entire life under a spotlight — first in Slovenia, then with Real Madrid, then in Dallas — the chance to embrace his destiny in L.A. proved irresistible.

“I want to win titles,” Dončić said. “That’s the goal. And I believe the Lakers are building something where we can do that.”

The response was immediate and explosive.

Social media platforms erupted within minutes of the ESPN interview. “LUKA TO LA” trended worldwide. Jerseys were mock-designed. Hollywood studios reportedly began discussions about documentaries.

NBA players, too, weighed in:

• Kevin Durant tweeted, “Luka in LA… it’s about to get scary.”
• Draymond Green said on his podcast, “The league just changed. Luka’s the future. And now he’s in a Lakers jersey? Sheesh.”
• Ja Morant, a potential Western Conference rival, tweeted a simple “👀🔥” — summing up the mood of the league.

Fans in Dallas were understandably emotional. Many expressed heartbreak, but most also offered appreciation.

“He gave us everything,” said one Mavericks season ticket holder. “It hurts, but I get it. He wants to win. We couldn’t give him that.”

With Luka joining the roster, the Lakers are expected to immediately vault into championship contention. The projected 2025–26 starting lineup could look something like:

• PG: Luka Dončić
• SG: Bronny James / Veteran Shooter
• SF: LeBron James
• PF: Rui Hachimura
• C: Anthony Davis

Head coach Darvin Ham and the Lakers staff are reportedly planning to build the offense around Luka’s ball dominance, with Davis acting as a vertical threat and LeBron operating more off-ball and in playmaking secondary roles.

Additionally, the Lakers are expected to pursue veteran shooters and defenders in free agency to surround their new Big Three with the right complementary pieces.

Luka’s move to the Lakers has massive implications across the league. Teams like the Suns, Nuggets, and Timberwolves must now reckon with a reloaded Lakers squad. The Mavericks are expected to enter a full rebuild, while teams like the Knicks and Heat — previously believed to be Luka destinations — are left scrambling.

More broadly, the transfer of power from one franchise to another — especially involving a 26-year-old superstar — is a reminder of how quickly the NBA’s landscape can change.

“It’s seismic,” said TNT’s Charles Barkley. “We’re not just talking about a great player. We’re talking about a generational one. And now he’s in L.A., with the Lakers, in his prime. You can’t script it better.”

For Luka Dončić, the decision to join the Lakers is about more than just basketball. It’s about legacy. It’s about visibility. It’s about stepping into the space once occupied by his idols — and creating something even greater.

And for the Lakers, the message is clear: The future is now.

After years of short-term moves and transitional rosters, they’ve landed their next franchise cornerstone. The bridge from LeBron to Luka is built. And in Hollywood, where stories are everything, this might be the greatest one yet.

The King is still here.

But the Prince has arrived.