Months after the shocking trade that sent superstar Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, the last remaining piece of the deal has been finalized.
The Lakers just agreed to a 3-year, max $165 million extension with Doncic, completing the last piece of the trade. That puts to rest questions about Doncic's future, with some previously questioning whether he would re-sign.
Doncic didn't have to sign the extension, but his decision to do so sends a message that he believes in the Lakers vision. It also sends a message to the Mavericks, specifically GM Niko Harrison, who traded him after questioning his work ethic.
Doncic's stunning offseason transformation has resulted in him slimming down, looking like he's in the best shape of his career.
Armed with a revenge body and a reloaded roster, Doncic could be in what could be the best season of his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
The Mavericks may soon regret trading Luka Doncic
Although the Mavericks have potential superstar Cooper Flagg, it could be years before they are able to build a contender around him. They do still have Anthony Davis to pair him with, but Davis is six years older than Doncic and set to make more than Doncic over the next three years.
Anthony Davis will cost around $25 million more than Luka Doncic over the next three seasons. Nico Harrison, ladies and gentlemen.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) August 2, 2025
That makes Harrison's decision to trade Doncic for him all the more ridiculous in retrospect. The Mavericks also don't own their pick for the next six seasons, making it harder for them to improve their roster around Flagg.
Meanwhile, the Lakers added former number one overall pick Deandre Ayton and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart for cheap. That was thanks to Doncic recruiting them, and it gives the Lakers a key advantage over other team.
The Lakers extending Doncic means they won the trade
Playing in Los Angeles is appealing enough, but getting to play with a potential MVP candidate in Doncic could be the icing on the cake for free agents. This is especially true now that Doncic is under contract for the next three seasons.
With LeBron James likely to either leave or retire next summer, it's officially the beginning of the Doncic era. As for the Mavericks, a new era will soon begin with Flagg as their new franchise cornerstone.
All in all, the Lakers extending Doncic is the final piece of the Doncic trade. With him now under contract for the next three seasons, the Doncic era can officially begin.