LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic on Saturday mentioned he felt privileged to shoulder championship expectations after formally signing a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic, 26, arrived in Los Angeles in a shocking February commerce that despatched Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Since then the Slovenian celebrity has centered on serving to the Lakers add one other title to their storied assortment.
“It is an honor to play for this group,” Doncic advised a press convention on the crew’s coaching heart in El Segundo.
“Many nice gamers performed right here and clearly I need to add yet another up there. That is what we’re working for.”
Doncic made a direct impression on becoming a member of the Lakers, averaging 28.2 factors, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals over 28 regular-season video games.
His stellar play helped propel Los Angeles to the third seed within the Western Convention, although the crew in the end suffered a first-round playoff exit.
Recognized for his dazzling expertise and basketball IQ, five-time All-Star Doncic has often confronted criticism over his conditioning.
Nevertheless, a latest profile in Males’s Well being journal showcased a noticeably leaner and extra muscular Doncic, with elevated definition in his arms – a testomony to his low season dedication.
“For the primary month I did not play basketball in any respect, we had been extra centered on different issues, so I believe that supplied a spark,” he mentioned.
“Weight lifting, balancing … and after one month we began enjoying basketball.”
‘Monumental second’
Lakers President of Basketball Operations and Common Supervisor Rob Pelinka referred to as Doncic’s extension a “monumental second” for the franchise.
“Luka Doncic’s future is with the Los Angeles Lakers,” Pelinka mentioned in an announcement.
“Luka is likely one of the recreation’s most transcendent gamers, and his on-court dominance and fervour is with out examine.”
The Lakers are reloading for an additional run on the title, with LeBron James opting into his contract for subsequent season. The crew has additionally bolstered its roster by buying heart Deandre Ayton, defensive stalwart Marcus Good and ahead Jake LaRavia.
Doncic, who was the third general decide within the 2018 NBA Draft, boasts profession averages of 28.6 factors, 8.6 rebounds and eight.2 assists throughout seven NBA seasons with the Mavericks and Lakers.
He has been chosen 5 occasions to the All-NBA first crew, led the league in scoring through the 2023-24 marketing campaign with 33.9 factors per recreation and recorded a career-high 73 factors in a single contest.
He ranks third all-time in common season scoring common and has notched 82 profession triple-doubles, fourth amongst lively gamers. —Reuters