Luka Doncic: A New Beginning with the Lakers
The arrival of Luka Doncic in New York last Sunday marked the beginning of a pivotal week. For the first time since entering the NBA, the superstar interrupted his summer break in Europe to return to the United States before the start of training camp, according to sources close to the player. This trip, presented as a promotional tour for the Jordan brand, began with a visit to Yankee Stadium alongside Aaron Judge. Then, he headed west, to Chicago and finally to Los Angeles. The main goal was to show the physical transformation of the 26-year-old player and announce that Los Angeles would be more than a temporary home after his shocking transfer from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers on February 1st. Doncic is expected to sign a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers on Saturday, the first day the team was eligible to offer him an extension. The third year will include a player option. Following the Lakers’ elimination in the first round of the playoffs, Doncic’s dedication to training and his impressive physical transformation, reflected on the cover of Men’s Health, demonstrated his commitment to the team.Now that Doncic has secured his stay, which was the main priority for the Lakers in the offseason, some key questions arise ahead of his first full season in Los Angeles.“Everyone needs to improve,” Doncic declared after the first-round defeat. “We’ll have a long summer. We need to focus on what we can improve as a team and individually. Everyone.”
Luka Doncic
Why sign for three years instead of four?
The most lucrative extension the Lakers could offer Doncic was a four-year, $229 million contract. By signing a 2+1 extension, Doncic could become an unrestricted free agent in 2028 or 2029, at which point he would already have 10 years of service in the league. The Lakers could renegotiate his contract in the summer of 2027 and offer him a four-year, $323 million extension. If Doncic exercises his player option for 2028-29, he could sign a five-year extension for around $418 million, which could make him the first player in league history to earn a salary of $80 million per season.What are Doncic’s expectations for next season?Adapting to the transfer from Dallas took Doncic time. His mentality changed when he realized he wanted to win. Doncic demonstrated his urgency through his off-season fitness regimen and by participating in the recruitment of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart for Los Angeles. After a dinner in May, Doncic and the Lakers executives established a mutual understanding. Doncic expressed his desire to compete at the highest level. Pelinka and Redick used the dinner to analyze future salary space, team selections, and to discuss how to approach the future together. Doncic was encouraged to share the types of players he thought the team needed, such as a shooter, a defender, and a rim protector, so that the Lakers could identify realistic players who would fit that profile.How do the Lakers feel?
The organization shares Doncic’s short-term goals, and also those of LeBron James. “This is a team that wants to win championships,” declared a Lakers source. “That hasn’t changed and won’t change in the future.” The Lakers’ strategy focuses on flexibility, not on the search for another star. The goal is to give the team the greatest possible adaptability each season, maintaining championship aspirations. From the moment Los Angeles parted with Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick to acquire Doncic, it was imperative to secure his commitment. Now that they have, the new era of Lakers basketball officially begins.
