The Los Angeles Lakers plan to sign Luka Doncic to an extension when he becomes eligible in August, but the deal should come with the caveat that the franchise is building a title contender around him immediately. The path to winning with Luka is clear. Dallas reached the NBA Finals with a co-star, 3-and-D wings, and a lob threat in the middle. Luka should only commit to the Lakers if they are willing to build that ideal roster around him. It is the franchise's roadmap to title contention in Luka’s prime.
Doncic is eligible for a four-year $229 million extension on Aug. 2, but the best financial path for him is signing a three-year max deal. That allows him to become a free agent again with ten years of service and get a 35 percent max contract. The shorter deal would put even more pressure on the Lakers to give into Luka’s demands.
This isn’t Doncic playing general manager. The blueprint for building a title contender around him is clear. Number 77 needs those pieces to mitigate his weaknesses. Luka wants to win and is in his prime. It is on the Lakers to build a roster capable of competing with the top teams immediately.
Luka Doncic should only extend if the Lakers agree to contend
Fans heard the rumors about the franchise preserving cap space for 2027, but why? LeBron James immediately applied pressure after opting in. The 41-year-old is nearing the end of his legendary career. Luka is at his peak and has already been the best player on a team that reached the NBA Finals. The time is now for the Lakers. There is no reason to waste two years in hopes of landing a mythical superstar free agent.
LA needs role players to be a serious contender. Those pieces can be added immediately. Letting a 3-and-D forward like Dorian Finney-Smith leave for a reasonable contract in Houston runs counter to what the Lakers should be doing. They should be acquiring and retaining those pieces that help them win.
The Lakers added Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, but that doesn’t make them a title contender. Ayton is not exactly the lob threat or rim protector number 77 has thrived playing with. LaRavia is underrated, but a marginal downgrade from DFS. The franchise is showing zero urgency to win, despite having two superstars leading their roster.
Luka Doncic must make it clear that the pressure is on the Lakers to build a contender around him. That should be the only way he signs an extension. Keeping the deal short, like LeBron has for years, would add even more heat. Doncic needs a ring to cement himself as an all-time great and the time is now. The Lakers must be just as bought in as their superstar.
The Los Angeles Lakers have work to do. They have a crucial Austin Reaves decision to make over the next year and must start building their roster around Luka Doncic. The superstar may need to force the Lakers into making the moves, but it shouldn’t matter as long as they get done.
He is one of the five best players in the world. Having him on their roster means pressure to win immediately. The Lakers need to make the shift and start pushing their chips into the middle. If they don’t, this marriage could be a short one with a messy breakup. The ball is certainly in the franchise’s court.