So Doncic took the next step toward turning his dreams into reality Saturday when he agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension through 2028 with the Lakers, bypassing a chance at free agency next summer.

The Luka Dončić trade was considered an all-time NBA heist the moment it was consummated. An injury-prone superstar, a third-year guard with less than 3,000 minutes on his career resume and a single first-round pick from the second-winningest team in NBA history were all it took for the Los Angeles Lakers to land a then-25-year-old MVP candidate one year removed from not only a trip to the NBA Finals,