Luka Dončić's max extension with the Los Angeles Lakers makes him the new front-facing star of the team -- not LeBron James, an aging superstar playing the final years of a future Hall of Fame career. Still, James remains "supportive" of the franchise's move to lock in Dončić at three years and $165 million, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Luka Dončić has agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, bypassing a chance at free agency next summer to build a long-term future with his new team. The deal keeps Dončić with Los Angeles through 2028. The Slovenian superstar had a player option for the 2026-27 season under his previous contract.

In recent weeks, many have begun to speculate that there may be a rift between LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers as the organization transitions to handing the reigns over to Luka Dončić to be the face of the franchise.