Luka Doncic has quickly become the face of the Los Angeles Lakers since his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks that sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie the other way. Now fully settled into life in Southern California, the five-time All-Star has shown clear commitment to the Purple and Gold—but the business side of things is about to take center stage.
After a valiant first-round playoff effort, the Lakers bowed out in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending their season earlier than expected. With the offseason officially underway, priority No. 1 for the Lakers is Doncic’s potential $229 million contract extension.
On Friday, Doncic was spotted leaving popular LA hotspot Craig’s alongside new head coach JJ Redick and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka—a sign that serious talks are underway.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Doncic is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension, even though he’s still under the five-year, $215 million contract he signed with Dallas in the 2022-23 season. Luka Doncic is set to make $45.9 million next year, with a player option looming for 2026-27. Without an extension, he could hit unrestricted free agency in 2027-28.
Given his output this season—28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game—letting Luka walk would be unthinkable. He even gutted out a performance in Game 3 while battling illness, underscoring his dedication to the team.
Luka Doncic to reflect on his Lakers extension as per NBA Insider
Still, Luka Doncic isn’t rushing into anything.
“I’ve been focused on basketball,” Doncic said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “So, obviously, this is the time now to think about everything.”
Despite being a five-time All-Star, Luka isn’t currently eligible for a supermax deal due to the mid-contract trade that brought him to Los Angeles—a wrinkle that could factor into his decision.
The Lakers will do everything they can to lock him in long-term. But as Doncic takes his time to evaluate his future, LA’s front office could shift focus to plugging other roster gaps, particularly finding a viable big man to anchor the paint next season.
The Lakers made their move to bring in a generational talent. Now the spotlight is on Doncic, and his decision could define the next chapter of basketball in Los Angeles.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
