Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic had an excuse to celebrate after signing a massive contract extension with the Lakers over the weekend, and the franchise gave him a bonus after the deal was officially inked by hooking him up with a trip to see his favorite boy band: the Backstreet Boys.
The Lakers pulled off what seems poised to become one of the biggest heists in the history of the NBA last season in the trade that sent Luka Doncic from Dallas to Los Angeles, and it seemed safe to assume the franchise had some long-term plans that revolved around the 26-year-old superstar.
There was potentially a slight hitch, as Doncic was slated to become a free agent next summer following the conclusion of the five-year extension he signed with the Mavericks in 2021. However, it was pretty obvious the Lakers were going to lock him up before he had the potential to hit the market, and that assumption was confirmed when he signed a three-year extension worth $165 million that comes with a player option he could exercise in 2028.
Doncic signed the contract on Saturday ahead of a press conference where he revealed the team had a surprise for him when asked how he planned to celebrate, and it turned out to be a trip to Las Vegas to get the VIP experience while getting to see one of his favorite musical acts perform.
Luka Doncic celebrated his contract extension with the Lakers by rocking out at a Backstreet Boys concert at The Sphere
Doncic sat down for an interview with Malika Andrews in the wake of the trade that brought him to Los Angeles, and revealed his favorite boy band was the Backstreet Boys during a segment where he noted Michael Jackson was his favorite pop star and pointed to Mamma Mia! as his go-to musical.
Someone within the Lakers organization apparently took note of that first admission, as Doncic and some teammates were spotted in a suite at The Sphere on Saturday night for the show the Backstreet Boys put on as part of their ongoing residency at the cutting-edge venue.
@marissa_torrez I love it!! Luka Doncic LOVES Backstreet Boys too!! 🏀❤️ @Luka @Lakers #lukadoncic #lakers #ashtonkutcher #backstreetboys #sphere #lasvegas #fypシ #forbyou
Luka also got to head backstage to meet the band, and Brian Littrell highlighted their height difference in a video where he kneeled on a table to get to eye level with one of his biggest fans (in the literal sense of the word).
It’s Luka’s world and the rest of us are just living in it.