NBA
Luka Doncic Opens Up on Retirement Plans and Real Madrid Reunion
Antonio is a life long sports enthusiast and professional journalist, who shares an obssesive urge to find and dig up the most interesting facts to guide gamblers towards more exciting, yet safe bets. In his own words, ''you can never really know enough about the things you love''.
All posts by Antonio KozlowUpdated4 mins ago on September 16, 2025
Commitment to the Lakers
Luka Doncic recently secured his future with the Los Angeles Lakers by signing a three-year, $165 million extension. The deal shows his focus on representing the purple and gold and competing at the highest level. After a difficult postseason exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, Doncic worked on transforming his body to be in optimal shape for the upcoming season.
Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal noted, “If everything goes to plan, Doncic is not going anywhere until he’s won Laker titles and written league history of his own. There are the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, which will be tempting, but he’s focused on the present.”
Lessons From the Mavericks
Doncic once envisioned spending his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks. That plan changed when the team parted ways with its star. The experience shaped his approach to career decisions. He avoided rushing into his new Lakers extension and took time to align with the organization’s goals. Both sides remain committed to contending for championships.
Influence of LeBron James
At 41 years old, LeBron James continues to give the Lakers a chance in any postseason. Doncic respects James’ incredible longevity but admits he does not see himself following that same path. He values his love for basketball but draws a clear boundary when it comes to extending his career into his late 30s or 40s.
“For anyone expecting to see Doncic on an NBA court for 20 years, he promptly put those hopes to bed,” a league insider said. The five-time All-NBA guard wants to maximize his prime years but doesn’t plan on pushing his body to the extreme.
Looking Toward Madrid
When asked if he would consider finishing his career with Real Madrid, the club that developed him, Doncic left no doubt. “For sure,” Luka said. “They raised me.”
The timeline for that move remains uncertain, but the possibility excites international basketball fans. For now, Doncic stays focused on chasing championships with the Lakers, while keeping the idea of a Real Madrid farewell alive for the future.
