Inside Luka Dončić’s U.S. tour: From Lakers extension to a surprise Backstreet Boys concert

Luka Dončić concluded an exhausting eight-day U.S. tour in Los Angeles, preparing to fly home to Slovenia after a week packed with interviews, appearances, and commercial shoots. The tour, spanning New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, had been scheduled before his unexpected February trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers—a coincidence that aligned with his new career chapter.

On Sunday night, Dončić attended Jordan Brand's "The One" global tournament on an L.A. rooftop, judging a dunk contest and one-on-one battles. Though visibly fatigued, he was energized when player Kaiden Bailey yelled "He can’t f—ing guard me" after scoring, prompting Dončić to react with a grin and relate to the competitive intensity.

This moment reinforced his sense of belonging with the Lakers. The previous day, he formalized a three-year contract extension with the team, signing documents in custom purple-and-black folders emblazoned with his name and the Lakers logo. The event featured the theme "The Beginning," signaling a fresh start.

The signing followed a tumultuous period after his trade from Dallas, which bruised his reputation and left him "mentally exhausted," especially after the Lakers' first-round playoff elimination. However, his manager, Lara Beth Seager, confirmed he has fully moved on from the Dallas exit, carrying no lingering baggage.

Dončić also underwent a significant offseason physical transformation, including 16-hour daily fasting and strict diet and workout regimens. He detailed these changes in a Men’s Health Magazine cover story and discussed them during media appearances like a New York Yankees broadcast and "The Today Show."