Los Angeles Lakers may be preparing for a future superstar duo, as both Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic could hit free agency in the summer of 2028.
Los Angeles Lakers might be laying the groundwork for another blockbuster duo — this time involving Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic
Position: PG, SG
Age: 26
Height: 201 cm
Weight: 104 kg
Birth place: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Doncic recently signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers, including a player option in 2028.
That same summer, Jokic could also hit the open market if he declines his $62 million player option with the Denver Nuggets.
While Jokic turned down a three-year, $206.4 million extension from Denver this offseason, Nuggets officials have downplayed any concern. But the decision still opens the door for a dramatic free agency scenario in 2028.
The timeline is what has fans and insiders talking. If both Doncic and Jokic opt out, they’d be eligible to sign massive deals — including a possible five-year, $417 million supermax for Doncic.
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
ClutchPoints pointed out the historic symmetry of such a pairing, comparing it to legendary Lakers duos like Magic and Kareem, Shaq and Kobe, and LeBron and AD. A Doncic–Jokic pairing would likely be the most expensive yet — and possibly the most skilled.
Since being traded to the Lakers at the 2025 trade deadline, Doncic has been central to reshaping the franchise. He played a big role in recruiting Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton in free agency, showing his influence off the court as well.
Jokic, now 30, is still under contract with Denver through 2028. Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported that Jokic declined the extension for financial reasons — to become eligible for an even bigger four-year deal in 2026.
But The Athletic’s Sam Amick cautioned that nothing is guaranteed in today’s NBA, and teams should never assume superstars will stay put.
Last season, Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists in 70 games. In the playoffs, he put up 26.2 points, 12.7 boards, and 8.0 assists.
Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in his first 28 games as a Laker, then took it up a notch in the postseason with 30.2 points per game.
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