Luka Doncic has thanked Los Angeles Lakers followers for his or her “open arms” welcome and pledged to “give everything I have 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 time and is giving $5m to assist 77 younger athletes world wide “chase their dreams”.
“I just signed my extension with the Lakers,” Doncic instructed his thousands and thousands of social media followers. “Excited to keep working to bring championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud.”
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Luka Doncic: Lakers contract extension ‘honor’
“From day one, you’ve welcomed me and my family with open arms,” Doncic instructed his followers. “Playing for this metropolis is an honor.
“I’m proud to contine sporting the purple and gold and combating for championships in LA. I’ll give every part 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. This is only the start.
“I’m additionally committing $5m to assist 77 younger athletes world wide chase their goals, identical to I did. Basketball gave me every part and I’m fortunate to have the ability to give again and assist the following era.
Luka Doncic stats
Five-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 Conference play-offs because the third seeds.
The 6ft 6in former Real Madrid guard will really feel he has unfinished enterprise after the Lakers’ 4-1 defeat in the first round to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Today is a monumental moment for our franchise,” stated Lakers common supervisor Rob Pelinka. “Luka is among the recreation’s most transcendent gamers, and his on-court dominance and fervour is with out examine.
“From the moment Luka became a Laker, there was an immediate connection and admiration between Luka and our fanbase. You can feel it in your spirit when you attend a game.”
Luka Doncic weight reduction
A brand new-look Doncic will return to pre-season coaching after spending the summer time engaged on a rigorous health regime in Croatia.
Despite 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 subject was even cited as a cause for Doncic’s injury-plagued 2024/25, wherein he performed a career-low 50 video games.
Doncic reportedly contacted his supervisor the day after the Lakers’ season ended, informing her of his need to return to Europe and enhance his health.
Men’s Health: Luka Doncic chats ‘huge step’
The outcomes have been outstanding, with Doncic looking visibly leaner in a sequence of images revealed alongside a prolonged interview in Men’s Health Magazine.
“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” he mirrored.
Doncic was prevented from taking part in basketball for a month and was subjected to prolonged gymnasium work in addition to a gluten-free, low-sugar weight-reduction plan that features intermittent fasting and a minimum of 250 grams per day of protein.
“Every summer, I try my best to work on different things,” he instructed the publication. “Obviously, I’m very aggressive.
“This summer time was just a bit bit completely different, you realize. It form of motivated me to be even higher.
“This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”
