BREAKING: Luka Dončić Reportedly Set to Sign 3-Year, $165M Deal with Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — In what could become one of the biggest moves of the NBA offseason, ESPN’s salary cap expert Bobby Marks has predicted that Luka Dončić will sign a three-year, $165 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a seismic shift in the Western Conference landscape.
According to Marks, the deal will include a player option for the 2028-29 season, giving Dončić both security and flexibility as he transitions from the Dallas Mavericks to one of the league’s most storied franchises. This potential signing would allow Luka to recoup earnings he may have lost by leaving Dallas early, while also setting himself up for another major contract in a few years, when he’ll still be in his prime.
The Lakers, fresh off another playoff disappointment, are rumored to be aggressively retooling their roster around aging superstar LeBron James and All-Star big man Anthony Davis. The addition of Dončić — one of the league’s most gifted offensive talents — would immediately transform the Lakers into a top title contender.
Dončić, a five-time All-Star and perennial MVP candidate, has averaged over 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game during his time in Dallas. His skillset fits well with the Lakers’ fast-paced offense, and his playmaking could ease the load on both LeBron and Davis.
What makes this rumored deal particularly intriguing is the short-term nature of the contract. By including a player option, Dončić would have the ability to reassess his situation after two seasons, potentially testing free agency in 2028 with even greater leverage.
While no official agreement has been announced, and Dallas has yet to comment on Dončić’s future, this prediction by Marks is fueling major speculation across the league.
If the deal goes through, it would not only shake up the power balance in the West but also signal a new chapter for the Lakers — one built around the dynamic brilliance of Luka Dončić.
Stay tuned as this developing story unfolds.
