Luka Dončić stirred up the Lakers faithful Tuesday morning with a perfectly timed dose of humor. Asked about his rumored $220 million contract extension on national television, the superstar guard flashed that signature smirk and delivered a response that had everyone talking.
But behind the playful deflection lies a transformation that could reshape the Lakers’ championship aspirations. What did DOncic say about his future in Los Angeles?
What Did Luka Dončić Say About His Contract Extension Rumors?
During a recent appearance on the “TODAY” morning show, the 26-year-old Lakers superstar joined the hosts for a lighthearted segment. Things took an interesting turn when co-host Craig Melvin asked Luka Dončić about his highly anticipated contract extension.
With a smirk, Dončić playfully responded, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His cheeky answer sent the panel into a fit of laughter. Additionally, Melvin reminded viewers that Dončić could face a fine if he discussed the contract extension publicly. While Dončić didn’t spill any details, he later clarified that he couldn’t discuss the extension at the moment.
The buzz surrounding his future has been swirling since July 24, when SportsKlub reported that Dončić is on the verge of signing a massive $220 million max contract extension with the Lakers. According to the report, the deal is expected to be finalized around August 2, just before Dončić joins the Slovenian national team for EuroBasket training camp.
How Did Dončić Transform His Body After Dallas Trade Criticism?
That wasn’t the only headline-worthy moment from the interview. Dončić also opened up about his offseason transformation, which serves as a direct response to criticism from his former team.
After the trade, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that one of the Mavericks’ “major concerns” leading to the trade was Dončić’s conditioning.
However, the Dončić that fans saw in Men’s Health magazine on July 28 looked nothing like the player who ended the 2024-25 season. Dropping weight from his 230-pound frame, Dončić appeared leaner, sharper, and more determined than ever.
Luka Doncic on the cover of the latest issue of Men’s Health
Full story: https://t.co/McMnJAWeOy… pic.twitter.com/Ab2dL5pEUF
— LukaMuse (@LukaMuse__) July 28, 2025
During the interview, he revealed that he and his trainers experimented with new techniques and even stepped away from basketball entirely for a month to try different sports.
“I would say me and my team just tried some new things. Different food, different practices. I actually gave up playing basketball for one month, which I never did in my life, so it was kind of challenging, but it was good.”
“Mentally, basketball I’ve been playing my whole life, so I won’t forget how to play basketball in one month, so we tried other sports. I think it was a good thing,” Dončić added during the interview.
The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the basketball world in the 2024-25 season when they pulled off a blockbuster trade on February 2 by acquiring Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis, in a three-team deal facilitated by the Utah Jazz.
In the 2024-25 campaign, Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 games for the Lakers. He led the team to a solid (50-32) regular-season record and a playoff berth.
However, their championship hopes were cut short when the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated them in the first round. Now, with a leaner frame and a potential $220 million deal looming, Dončić is poised for a dominant return.
