The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the basketball world with one of the most unexpected trades in recent NBA history. On Feb. 2, the purple and gold acquired Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster deal that nobody saw coming.
Now just months after that seismic move, the Lakers find themselves back in the spotlight as reports suggest Dončić is on the verge of signing a massive $220 million max contract extension with his new team.
When Will Luka Dončić Sign His New Contract Extension?
According to SportKlub, the 26-year-old Slovenian superstar is expected to finalize the extension around Aug. 2, just before he joins the Slovenian national team for EuroBasket training camp.
Luka Dončić will sign an extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on 2. or 3. August!
Coach of Slovenian national team confirmed that Luka will fly to USA to “Complete all obligations” before joining the national team after August 4th.https://t.co/g8pfVluHyc pic.twitter.com/X3m4v6FeTp
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) July 24, 2025
This timing allows Dončić to complete his business with the Lakers before turning his attention to international competition. The announcement has sparked a wave of celebration among Lakers fans who have embraced their new franchise cornerstone.
How Are Lakers Fans Reacting to This Dončić News?
Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game during the regular season. He played a pivotal role in leading the team to a 50-32 record, a strong finish that propelled them into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed.
With a full offseason under his belt in Los Angeles, supporters believe Dončić is ready to take over the league.
“League ain’t ready for what he’s about to be doing,” wrote one fan.
League ain’t ready for what he’s about to be doing.
— NirvanaClay (@NirvanaClay) July 24, 2025
The excitement around Dončić comes at a time when plenty has changed in Lakers land this summer. The Buss family, the longtime owners of the Lakers, agreed to sell majority ownership of the franchise to billionaire Mark Walter at a record $10 billion valuation.
Shortly after that ownership change, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that LeBron James exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. However, this announcement from Charania gave rise to rumors that James might be moving to a different team to chase his fifth championship.
Some fans now believe Dončić’s decision to stay may be tied to insider knowledge about the King’s final chapter in Los Angeles.
“Quite sure he gets the assurance from the new owner that this will be Bron’s last season with Lakers,” wrote one fan.
Quite sure he gets the assurance from the new owner that this will be Bron’s last season with Lakers
— United Gold Rush (@di_bapa) July 24, 2025
While fans are excited about the size and significance of the deal, not everyone agrees on the structure. Some suggest Dončić would be better off signing a three-year deal with a player option for the fourth.
That approach would allow him to reach 10 years of NBA service, which would qualify him for an even more lucrative supermax extension down the road.
“Wouldn’t be logical on his part. Should do 3+1 opt out resign bc he will be at 10yrs of service (and) get a bigger contract,” said one fan.
Wouldn’t be logical on his part. Should do 3+1 opt out resign bc he will be at 10yrs of service n get a bigger contract
— BMurda (@RyloAries1) July 24, 2025
Not everyone shares the same optimism about Dončić’s future in Los Angeles. While most fans were busy celebrating the announcement, one user took a more pessimistic view, stating that Dončić would end his career with no championship wins.
“Yeah he’s gonna end his career with 0 rings,” said the user.
Yeah he’s gonna end his career with 0 rings
— 📓 (@book1kai) July 24, 2025
Regardless of how the final terms look, one thing is certain: Dončić is fully embracing life as a Laker, and the majority of the fanbase is fully behind him. The potential Aug. 2 signing date will mark another milestone in what has already been a transformative year for the franchise.
