Recently, the Los Angeles Lakers helped solidify their future by signing Luka Doncic to a mammoth three-year, $165 million contract extension. The deal keeps Doncic in a Lakers uniform for the foreseeable future and also includes a player option for 2028, at which point he could opt out and sign potentially the most lucrative contract in NBA history.
One person who was thrilled for Doncic was none other than former Lakers star Pau Gasol, who recently took to X, formerly Twitter, to extend his congratulations.
“Congratulations on your extension, happy for you and proud of the efforts your foundation is making to break down the barriers that too often stand in the way of young athletes chasing their dreams,” wrote Gasol.
The last part of that statement was in reference to an announcement that the Luka Doncic Foundation made on X.
“Today @luka7doncic extended his future with the Lakers AND committed $5 million to help launch the futures of 77 young athletes around the world. Talent exists everywhere, and opportunity should too,” wrote the foundation.
It was another example of just how embraced Doncic has become in the Los Angeles community in such a short amount of time.
A huge move for the Lakers
Some have wondered whether the Lakers' increasingly obvious prioritization of Doncic would serve as a kind of alienation for LeBron James, who signed with Los Angeles in 2018 and delivered them a championship two years later.
James added fuel to this fire by indirectly putting out a statement through his agent Rich Paul hinting at a possible search for greener pastures.
However, James also took his player option with the Lakers this summer, meaning he will be back at least for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Still, Los Angeles has made it abundantly clear that Doncic, not James, is the main player they're looking to appease moving forward. After Anthony Davis had clamored for the team to trade for a center for years, the Lakers did so almost immediately after Doncic's arrival (although the trade for Mark Williams did end up being rescinded).
In any case, the Lakers' schedule is set to be announced later this month.
