Luka Doncic: The New Era of the Lakers Begins with a Million-Dollar Contract
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 Slovenian superstar interrupted his summer break in Europe to return to the United States before the start of the training camp, according to sources close to the player. This trip, presented as a promotional tour for the Jordan Brand brand, included a visit to Yankee Stadium and a stop in Chicago, before ending in Los Angeles. However, it became a showcase of his renewed physical condition and the announcement that Los Angeles will be more than a temporary home after his surprising 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 this Saturday, the first day the franchise could offer him a deal. The third year of the contract will be a player option, according to sources. After a season in which the Lakers, seeded as number 3, were eliminated in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic’s physical change, visible on the cover of Men’s Health, is a statement of intent. This shows that Doncic is fulfilling what he stated at the end of the season: “We all must improve. We will have a long summer and we must focus on what we can improve as a team and individually.” Now that Doncic has made the decision to stay, addressing the biggest priority for the Lakers’ offseason, three key questions arise for next season.
Why sign for three years instead of four?
The biggest extension the Lakers could offer Doncic was for four years and $229 million. So, why leave $64 million guaranteed on the table? By signing a 2+1 extension, Doncic can become an unrestricted free agent in 2028 or 2029, when he will already have 10 years of service in the league. According to projections by Bobby Marks, NBA expert, there will be another big financial reward for Doncic. The Lakers will be able to renegotiate his contract in the summer of 2027 and offer him a four-year, $323 million extension at that time. On the other hand, if Doncic plays the two additional guaranteed years on his contract and declines his player option for 2028-29, he could sign a five-year extension at that time for around $418 million in his 29th season. That potential deal could make him the first player in league history to earn a salary of $80 million per season, taking home almost $1 million per game. The figure for the final year of the deal would approach nine figures, with $95 million, a high price as the face of a $10 billion franchise.What are Doncic’s expectations for next season?
Processing the transfer from Dallas took Doncic time. After how the franchise and fans treated him at the beginning of his career, he thought he would retire as a Maverick. After starting his professional career with Real Madrid, he never considered being transferred. Once the shock subsided, Doncic’s mindset shifted to the one he had when playing for Dallas: “win now” mode. Doncic could have made a multi-year commitment to the Lakers, but he hopes to be in contention every year. He showed his urgency through his off-season conditioning regimen and by participating in the recruitment of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart for Los Angeles. After Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations and general manager of the Lakers, and coach JJ Redick invited Doncic and his agent, Lara Beth Seager, to dinner in May, the 6’6″ point guard left with a greater understanding of the team’s finances. The team left with a better understanding of Doncic’s wishes.Pelinka and Redick used the dinner to examine future salary cap space, the picks they had, the ones they didn’t have, and to discuss how to approach their future together. Doncic was encouraged to share the archetypal players he felt the roster could use — a pick-and-pop player, a defender, and a rim protector — so that the Lakers could identify realistic players who would fit that mold.I don’t want to wait. I had a taste of the Finals. I’m going to come back. So let’s do what we can now.
Doncic
