The Los Angeles Lakers are almost sorted for the coming season after the shocking Luka Doncic trade. But it has hardly a week passed since the blockbuster shuffle that they are in with another concern. Will Luka Doncic sign an extension with the Lakers or keep his options open?
Well, the short term answer to this question is vague. But the long-term answer is- maybe. If the former Dallas Mavericks sensation’s decision carries significant implications for both the franchises. While the Lakers have snagged a superstar, the max contract he’s eligible for this summer is not a guaranteed sign-off, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst pointed out. This uncertainty opens up various avenues for Doncic to assess, including financial benefits and team fit.
“They can offer him $100 million less, so I would say to you it’s not a guarantee for sure that Luka’s gonna rip off a five-year deal in July. He may want to see how things play out. He may take a shorter deal because he no longer has the financial incentive to do it. So, the Lakers have to do some work over the next few months to convince him he wants to get locked in,” Windhorst said.
What happens if Luka Doncic doesn't sign an extension this summer with the Lakers?
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 4, 2025
"We have to just watch and see how it all plays out." —@WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/e7rwR9l0ff
Currently under contract through the 2025-26 season, Doncic holds a lucrative $48.9 million player option for the following year. The Lakers can propose a four-year, $229 million contract, but the sizable financial gap has to be taken care of. And as Windhorst said, Luka will take some time to envision what the Lakers camp holds for him. And then only he could make any firm decisions.
Also Read: Luka Doncic Receives Terrible News After Being Traded To The Los Angeles Lakers
More Details Emerge On Luka Doncic Trade
After the dust has settled a bit, details about the shocking Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade emerge. Initially, when the news broke, many, including insiders, suspected a hacking incident concerning ESPN’s Shams Charania, who first reported the trade. Speculation ran rampant as media members scrambled to understand how a player of Doncic’s caliber could be on the move.
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It was also speculated that he had initiated the request. However, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison clarified that the decision to trade Doncic was entirely his own. And Doncic reportedly was unaware that negotiations were even happening.
There are major financial implications for Luka Doncic with this trade.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 2, 2025
He was in line to receive a five-year $345M contract this summer.
Doncic is no longer super max eligible.
The trade involved the Mavericks sending Doncic and two other players to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round draft pick. The secrecy surrounding the negotiations is perhaps the most surprising aspect. And especially in a league known for its chatter and gossip.
Not even Danny Ainge, the Jazz’s GM who played a pivotal role in facilitating the transaction, was fully informed until shortly before the deal’s completion. However, some analysts believe the Mavericks may have a better chance of winning a championship this season with Davis.
Also Read: REPORT: Miami Heat’s Cap Strategy Sets The Stage For Potential Luka Doncic Pursuit In 2026
