Luka Doncic’s contract extension decision in the next month will determine whether he can eventually sign a $400 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to The Athletic’s NBA insider John Hollinger, if Doncic signs a three-year, $161 million extension with the Lakers featuring a 2028-29 player option instead of a four-year, $223 million deal, the five-time All-Star could potentially sign a five-year, $406 million contract with Los Angeles in 2028. The reason Doncic could achieve this? He will be a ten-year veteran that summer.
“Dončić could make the Lakers sweat out the season before extending his deal. He could also opt out and try someplace else next summer on his two-year wait for 2028, and it will cost him mere pennies relative to the rest of his deal (only about $1.5 million, something he might easily make up in state taxes if he left California),” notes Hollinger.
“So, yes, L.A. is probably the best situation for Dončić, but you can understand why the Lakers might be a little nervous until he puts pen to paper. And for Dončić, he needn’t be in a big hurry — he can extend any time between Aug. 2 and next June.”
Hollinger also pointed to another reason Doncic might want to sign an extension with the Lakers: avoiding a surprise trade like the one that brought him from Dallas.
“Dončić, unlike virtually every other star, is highly incentivized to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028 rather than extending his deal again. He would have eight years of service and four with the same team if he remains a Laker until that time (partial seasons such as his 2024-25 campaign count). That, in turn, would enable him to add a no-trade clause to his 2028 deal — not available in extensions, only new contracts! — which would inoculate him against a midnight trade out of Tinseltown,” explains Hollinger.
After being traded to the Lakers from the Mavericks, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists over 28 games, while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from three. Doncic, LeBron James and the Lakers were ousted in five games in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant ... More about Matt Higgins