The Los Angeles Lakers locked up Luka Doncic to a three-year max extension only for it to be topped by the Spurs with a four-year max deal for De’Aaron Fox. LA could have given Doncic the same contract, but the superstar wanted to be able to opt out with 10 years of service for an even larger payday. Still, Doncic and Fox are on identical contracts for the next three years, but are far from the same player.
Luka is a five-time All-Star and five-time first-team All-NBA selection. He is annually in the running for MVP and is one of the top three players in the world. Fox can’t make that case. He made one All-Star appearance and was third-team All-NBA in 2023.
It is crazy that the two point guards will be making the same amount of money over the next three seasons. Fox is a top-25 player, but not a true superstar. The Spurs paid him like one, and Lakers fans are loving it.
Lakers fans can only laugh at Spurs overpay for De’Aaron Fox
Many are already crowning the Spurs as the Thunder’s biggest competition over the next decade thanks to Victor Wembanyama, but hold the phone. San Antonio lucked into Wemby in the draft lottery, but has struggled to build out their roster. They have several talented players and draft picks to trade. The Spurs have not crafted those pieces into a contending roster.
Luka led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 and the conference finals in 2022. He performs his best in the playoffs and is just entering his prime. The Lakers are the best franchise in the NBA at accumulating talent and have kept their flexibility to build out their roster around number 77.
Every penny matters in the apron era. The Spurs have not learned that lesson. They should have negotiated less than a max deal for Fox, especially after drafting Dylan Harper. The All-Star is no guarantee to be their long-term option at point guard if the rookie blossoms into a superstar.
The Spurs' misfortune is a win for the Lakers. Victor Wembanyama is a historic talent and will have San Antonio in contention quickly. Overpaying Fox and harming their cap sheet is certainly a victory as LA tries to take over that throne.
The Lakers got Luka Doncic on a bargain. He was unable to sign for 35 percent of the salary cap in year one after the Mavericks traded him. The purple and gold would have given him every penny possible to be the face of their franchise. Luka's fresh contract got even better as the Spurs overpaid for Fox.
The Los Angeles Lakers are ready to surprise fans this season. The additions of Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia give LA a puncher’s chance to win it all. With Luka Doncic in the best shape of his life, do not count the Lakers out. They will be a force that is difficult to stop, and fans will enjoy the ride.