Luka Doncic has thanked Los Angeles Lakers followers for his or her “open arms” welcome and pledged to “give all the things I’ve to all of you” after signing a three-year, $165 million extension.
The Lakers acquired Doncic, 26, from the Dallas Mavericks in February in a blockbuster commerce for Anthony Davis, teaming up with talisman LeBron James, who will return for a twenty third marketing campaign within the 2025/26 season.
Slovenian Doncic, who had a participant choice for 2026/27 beneath his earlier phrases, has given up free company subsequent summer season and is giving $5m to assist 77 younger athletes all over the world “chase their desires”.
“I simply signed my extension with the Lakers,” Doncic advised his thousands and thousands of social media followers. “Excited to maintain working to deliver championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud.”
Luka Doncic: Lakers contract extension ‘honor’
“From day one, you’ve welcomed me and my household with open arms,” Doncic advised his followers. “Taking part in for this metropolis is an honor.
“I’m proud to contine carrying the purple and gold and preventing for championships in LA. I’ll give all the things I’ve to all of you.
“Grateful to the Lakers, my teammates and all of the followers who’ve proven a lot love since day one. That is just the start.
“I’m additionally committing $5m to assist 77 younger athletes all over the world chase their desires, identical to I did. Basketball gave me all the things and I’m fortunate to have the ability to give again and assist the subsequent technology.
Luka Doncic stats
5-time All-NBA nominee and five-time All-Star Doncic averaged 28.2 factors, 8.2 assists and seven.7 rebounds per recreation final season.
In a revered pairing with James, Doncic helped LA enter the Western Convention play-offs because the third seeds.
The 6ft 6in former Actual Madrid guard will really feel he has unfinished enterprise after the Lakers’ 4-1 defeat within the first spherical to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
“At this time is a monumental second for our franchise,” stated Lakers normal supervisor Rob Pelinka. “Luka is among the recreation’s most transcendent gamers, and his on-court dominance and fervour is with out evaluate.
“From the second Luka grew to become a Laker, there was a direct connection and admiration between Luka and our fanbase. You may really feel it in your spirit if you attend a recreation.”
Luka Doncic weight reduction
A brand new-look Doncic will return to pre-season coaching after spending the summer season engaged on a rigorous health regime in Croatia.
Regardless of being one of many main lights within the NBA since debuting in 2018, Doncic has confronted common jibes over his physique and lack of conditioning.
The perceived challenge was even cited as a purpose for Doncic’s injury-plagued 2024/25, through which he performed a career-low 50 video games.
Doncic reportedly contacted his supervisor the day after the Lakers’ season ended, informing her of his want to return to Europe and enhance his health.
Males’s Well being: Luka Doncic chats ‘enormous step’
The outcomes have been outstanding, with Doncic wanting visibly leaner in a sequence of photographs printed alongside a prolonged interview in Males’s Well being Journal.
“Simply visually, I might say my complete physique appears to be like higher,” he mirrored.
Doncic was prevented from enjoying basketball for a month and was subjected to prolonged fitness center work in addition to a gluten-free, low-sugar eating regimen that features intermittent fasting and no less than 250 grams per day of protein.
“Each summer season, I attempt my finest to work on various things,” he advised the publication. “Clearly, I’m very aggressive.
“This summer season was just a bit bit totally different, . It sort of motivated me to be even higher.
“This yr, with my crew, I believe we did an enormous step. However that is simply the beginning. I must hold going. Can’t cease.”