Lakers Reap the Rewards as Luka Dončić’s Contract Eligibility Nears

Grant AfsethJuly 30, 2025no comment

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Luka Dončić didn’t just get traded in February. He got blindsided. Overnight, without warning or input, the Dallas Mavericks—where Dončić had envisioned spending his entire career—sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers.

There was no heads-up from the front office, no indication that the organization was moving on from its franchise cornerstone. One day, Dončić was the face of the Mavericks. Next, the front office practically rejected him, and with a heavy slew of negative media leaks, they made clear they’re betting against the superstar who was instrumental in getting them to the NBA Finals less than one year prior.

The sense of betrayal was real. And the Lakers knew it. With LeBron James reaching the end of his NBA career, finding the next franchise cornerstone to build around was a clear priority, and they took full advantage of the opportunity to acquire Dončić—a player most of the NBA wouldn’t fathom being available via trade.

Now, with Dončić eligible to sign a long-term contract extension on August 2, the Lakers are hoping the signs they’ve seen over the past five months point toward a commitment. Multiple sources expressed an expectation to FastbreakJournal.com that Dončić will sign a deal.

What Contract Could Luka Dončić Sign?

Dončić, who averagead 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 50 games last season, becomes eligible to sign a four-year, $228.6 million extension on August 2. He could opt for a three-year deal with a player option for 2028–29, putting him in position to reach 10 years of NBA service and sign a five-year, 35% max contract projected through 2033.

“From the perspective of maximizing earning potential, the three-plus-one structure is the most lucrative long-term for Luka,” a Western Conference Salary Cap expert told FastbreakJournal.com. “That gives him the best earning potential. After losing a ton of money because of the trade, this is a great option.”

That potential approach aligns with what one veteran NBA agent told FastbreakJournal.com when evaluating the situation.

“The three-plus-one structure is the smartest move for a player in Luka’s position,” said the agent. “It gives him the flexibility to hit that 10-year mark when he can sign a supermax. If I had to guess, that’s what I expect him to do. That’s what I’d advise.”

Rob Pelinka’s Agent Playbook

Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, a former agent who represented Kobe Bryant and understands the psychology of star players better than most, moved quickly. His strategy: empower Dončić completely.

Before Dončić ever played a game for the Lakers, Pelinka sought his input on the roster, including a potential trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams. Though the deal was ultimately rescinded, the message was clear that this is Dončić’s team.

“Rob knows how to build trust with stars. He used to be on the other side of the table,” one veteran NBA agent told FastbreakJournal.com. “When you’re his priority, he knows how to make it feel like a real partnership. You’re seeing that with Luka now.”

The Lakers also integrated Dončić’s personal performance team—trainer Anže Maček, physiotherapist and podiatrist Javier Barrio, and nutritionist Lucia Almendros—into their daily operations. The trio was granted full access, continuing the regimen behind Dončić’s now-viral offseason transformation. His arrival in Los Angeles followed a tense stretch in Dallas, where friction between his team and the Mavericks’ medical staff over a calf strain ultimately led to a six-week absence.

“You don’t micromanage a guy like Dončić” said one longtime agent with multiple All-Star clients. “The Lakers were smart to empower him by allowing him to use his personal team as a sign of respect. Pelinka doing that probably helped undo some of the tension from how things ended in Dallas.”

The Lakers have also worked closely with Lara Beth Seager, Dončić’s longtime business manager and one of the most trusted figures in his inner circle. As Chief Brand Officer and CEO of his creative studio 77X, Seager oversees Dončić’s branding, endorsements, foundation work, and long-term career planning.

Since Dončić’s arrival in Los Angeles, Seager has been involved in everything from coordinating off-season scheduling to aligning philanthropic initiatives. The Lakers have embraced her role, recognizing that engaging Dončić’s team, including his foundation and off-court brand, is essential to fostering long-term trust and stability.

A Changed Body, A Clearer Future

This summer, Dončić overhauled his conditioning and nutrition—an evolution widely recognized around the league. His two-a-day training schedule includes fasted morning sessions, resistance circuits, and on-court skill work. He fasts 16 hours a day, follows a high-protein and low-sugar diet, and has trimmed down noticeably, with increased muscle definition and mobility.

The Lakers embraced Dončić’s approach and privately spoke positive about his professionalism and consistency throughout the post-trade fallout. The trust placed in Dončić has further paid off.

As detailed in Men’s Health Journal, Dončić’s offseason has been unlike any other. He spent months training in Croatia with his handpicked team of experts, incorporating eccentric force drills, strength work, and extensive balance and mobility testing. He even took a full month off basketball—something he initially resisted—before easing back in with carefully structured sessions aimed at maximizing durability and explosiveness.

“I think I’m very athletic in other stuff,” Dončić said. “Balancing, controlling my body, what I do when I stop, slowing down.”

From resistance band layups to sprint circuits on the track, everything this summer was designed to unlock a version of Dončić we haven’t seen before. And for the first time in years, he says he feels rested.

“This is just the start,” he told Men’s Health. “I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”

The Lakers are betting on Dončić using what he’s learned thus far from his already highly succesful superstar career to take an even greater step forward, with the goal of winning a championship.

Loyalty Still Defines Him

Those close to Dončić stress that his sense of loyalty should not be overlooked. For years, he’s been seen as an unwavering commitment to representing Slovenia in FIBA competitions, even when the odds are against his squad. That same pride and accountability now seem to be flowing into his new NBA home.

“His loyalty has always been admirable. He’s always going to show up for Slovenia no matter what,” a team executive from a Western Conference team told FastbreakJournal.com. “That tells you what kind of guy he is. That’s why I think this whole Lakers bet might pay off in a bigger way than anyone expected.”

The Lakers took a swing by trading for Dončić. They bet that the shock of the move would light a new fire, that he would embrace the stage, and that he would take ownership in ways he never had before. It’s already paid off given he’s embraced his role as a free agency recruitor.

When free agency approached, Dončić played an instrumental role in shaping the Lakers. He personally recruited Marcus Smart after his buyout from Washington and leveraged his relationship with Deandre Ayton, a fellow top-three pick from the 2018 draft, to help bring him to Los Angeles.

“He obviously didn’t ask for the trade, but he’s embraced it as much as the Lakers could have hoped,” said a Western Conference assistant general manager to FastbreakJournal.com. “He’s clearly invested in the team if he’s putting in work to help recruit [Marcus] Smart and [Deandre] Ayton. You don’t recruit like that unless you’re planning to stay a while.”

What’s Next for Luka Dončić?

Before that next chapter in purple and gold unfolds, Luka Dončić will turn his attention to international duty. He’s set to join Slovenia’s national team on August 4 for its EuroBasket 2025 preparation camp. The team will face elite European competition in six tune-up games ahead of the group stage, where Slovenia is matched with France, Poland, Belgium, Iceland, and Israel.

Dončić will travel with his personal fitness team to ensure he arrives in peak condition—a priority after a tumultuous NBA season that ended in a first-round playoff exit. With national pride fueling him once again, the summer offers both a shot at another medal and a chance to reset.

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