Luka Dončić has officially turned the page — and there’s no looking back.
Following a blockbuster trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka has put the shock and emotion behind him and embraced his new reality. His longtime manager, Lara Beth Seager, confirmed to reporters: “He’s moved on.” That mindset reflects a clear focus on winning and building a legacy in L.A.
This summer, Dončić cemented his commitment by signing a three-year, $165 million max contract extension, complete with a player option for the 2028–29 season. While he sacrificed a chance at a $345 million supermax deal with Dallas, the move positions him for an even bigger payday in 2028 — potentially the richest contract in NBA history, topping $500 million.
The trade was unexpected. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison made the call to send Luka to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, signaling a franchise reset. For Luka, leaving Dallas — the city and team that drafted him and where he’d dreamed of spending his career — was difficult.
“I thought I’d spend my whole career there,” Dončić said in a heartfelt farewell letter to Mavericks fans. “But sometimes, it’s time to move forward.”
And forward he’s gone.
Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has not only maintained elite on-court production — averaging over 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists per game — but also reinvented himself physically and mentally. His offseason transformation has been widely discussed, alongside his philanthropic pledge of $5 million to support 77 young athletes worldwide.
With LeBron James near the end of his career, the Lakers are fully committing to Dončić as their new franchise cornerstone. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka hailed Luka as “the foundation of our next chapter,” as the roster evolves around him with key additions like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.
Luka’s influence extends beyond the NBA, too. This summer, he’ll lead Slovenia in EuroBasket 2025, continuing to showcase his dedication to his roots.
What’s clear is this: Luka Dončić has left the past in Dallas behind. His eyes are locked on the future — and that future is bright, purple, and gold.