Luka Doncic Trusts What Lakers Front Office Is Building

Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers are aligned on their goals and the timeline to achieve them as he begins his first full season with the franchise. Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers on August 2nd before participating in EuroBasket with Slovenia.

“He stresses every single day that his goal is to win a championship,” a source close to Doncic told ESPN. “He trusts the front office to do their part, and he trusts what they’re building.”

Before and after every game of EuroBasket, there was a group chat including Rob Pelinka and Dr. Leroy Sims, the Lakers director of player performance and health, and Lara Beth Seager, Doncic’s chief brand officer and business manager, and Javy Barrio, Doncic’s physiotherapist.

“‘Hey, whatever we can do to help, we’re here,'” a source close to Doncic told ESPN of the tone of the Lakers’ messages to his camp.

Pelinka signed a contract extension to remain top decision-makers of the Lakers shortly before the Buss family solid their majority stake of the franchise to a group led by Mark Walter. 

Doncic could opt out of his contract in 2028 to sign a new contract for 35 percent of the cap at approximately $417 million over five seasons when he has 10 years of NBA service accrued. Doncic previously was on track to sign a five-year, $315 million supermax contract during the 2025 offseason had he not been traded by the Dallas Mavericks.