The Dallas Mavericks superstar, Luka doncic, agreed to sign a historic five-year, $ 207 million rookie extension, his agent Bill Duffy of BDA Sports told ESPN on Monday.
Doncic, one of the most talented players in NBA history at age 22 – and rapidly evolving toward the face of the league – becomes the first player eligible for the maximum designated rookie extension. He has been voted twice in the All-NBA first team.
An expedition from Dallas landed in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Monday to formally present Doncic and Duffy with the contract. There were Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, general manager Nico Harrison, coach Jason Kidd, assistant general manager Michael finley, Special Advisor Dirk Nowitzki, and Director of Player Health and Performance, Casey Smith.
Doncic will sign the contract in Slovenia on Tuesday and hold a press conference there, Duffy told ESPN.
“Today is a dream come true,” Doncic told ESPN in a statement. “Basketball has given me so much and taken me to so many incredible places. I am honored and excited to remain in Dallas as part of the Mavericks and I appreciate the support of my fans,” he said.
“Along with this new contract, I am also pleased to announce that I am increasing my efforts and focusing on expanding the Luka Dončić Foundation. My foundation is an international non-profit organization that will give back to places that mean as much to me as my home country of Slovenia, as well as the communities in North Texas, “he said.
“I am pleased to share in partnership with 2K Foundations that we will soon open two basketball courts here in Slovenia. We are renovating the courts of my childhood where I learned and practiced the game. The opportunity for children to play on the same courts and pursue the same dreams that I had is something that excites me, “he added.
Doncic became the youngest ‘MVP’ in Euroleague history in 2017-18, when he led the Real Madrid to a title before being chosen as the third overall pick in the NBA draft, and was immediately traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Mavericks for Bring young and a future first-round pick.