Lakers fans will be delighted to hear that their star guard has re-signed with LA and therefore won’t become a free agent during the next offseason. Luka Don?i? is a player with pedigree — he is a 5-time All-Star and 5-time All-NBA First Team guard, after all — and has hit the ground running with 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists averaged across 28 games for the Lakers. Tying him down has been their number-one priority. 

New Opt Out Option For 2028  

The new contract allows Don?i? to opt out in 2028 and then sign a new deal that will guarantee him 35% of the salary cap. This move would then project to five years and come to a total of $417 million. What’s the significance of this number? It allows him to recoup every single dollar he potentially lost when he was traded from the Mavericks six months ago. 

Don?i?’s Delight Speaks Volumes

"I'm really grateful to the Lakers organization, my teammates and the fans for welcoming me and my family with so much support and kindness since day one," Don?i? said in a prepared statement to announce the new deal. "This is an amazing organization, and I truly believe in what we're building together. I'm going to keep working as hard as I can to bring another championship to Los Angeles and to make Laker Nation proud. This is just the beginning. I'm excited for what's ahead and to keep building something special with this team.”

It will certainly be interesting to see how he drives the Lakers to ever greater heights in what looks to be a high-octane new era.