Luka Doncic`s arrival in New York City on Sunday heralded a significant week. This marked the first time since his NBA debut that the superstar cut short his European summer break to return to the U.S. ahead of training camp, as confirmed by a source close to Doncic.
The journey was officially a promotional tour for the Jordan Brand athlete. Doncic began with a visit to Yankee Stadium, joining fellow Jordan endorser Aaron Judge, before heading west. His stops included Chicago, a city famously tied to Michael Jordan, and finally Los Angeles.
However, the tour quickly transformed into a public display of the 26-year-old`s notably improved physique and a de facto announcement: Los Angeles is set to become a long-term base for the five-time All-Star, following his surprising trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers on February 1st.
Doncic plans to personally sign a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers on Saturday, the initial day the team could formally present such an offer. The agreement includes a player option for the third year.
Just three months after his inaugural playoff run in Los Angeles concluded prematurely — the third-seeded Lakers fell to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in five games — Doncic`s impressive dietary discipline and notable body transformation, highlighted on the cover of Men`s Health, spoke volumes. It clearly indicated he was acting on the commitment he made during his season-ending press conference after their first-round elimination.
Everyone needs to improve,” Doncic had stated. “We have a long summer ahead, and we should focus on enhancing ourselves both as a team and as individuals. Everyone.
Evidently, Doncic`s remarks were made on behalf of the team he is set to guide into a new era. With his commitment now secured, addressing the Lakers` primary offseason objective, three key questions remain before Luka`s first full season in Los Angeles.
Why sign for three years instead of four?
The maximum contract the Lakers could have extended to Doncic was a four-year, $229 million agreement, as per NBA front office insights. Given he already forfeited a potential five-year, $345 million supermax extension by leaving Dallas — not to mention the tax implications between California and Texas — why would he forgo an extra $64 million in guaranteed earnings?
With a `2+1` extension structure, Doncic gains the flexibility to become an unrestricted free agent in either 2028 or 2029, by which point he will have accumulated ten years of league service.
Based on typical annual cap projections, another substantial payday awaits Doncic.
The Lakers will have the opportunity to renegotiate his contract in the summer of 2027, potentially offering a four-year, $323 million extension.
Alternatively, should Doncic complete the two guaranteed years and decline his player option for the 2028-29 season, he could then sign a five-year extension around his age-29 season, potentially valued at approximately $418 million. This agreement could mark him as the first player in NBA history to earn an $80 million seasonal salary, translating to nearly $1 million per game — a truly astonishing sum.
The final year of such a deal could approach nine figures, estimated at $95 million, a fitting price for the cornerstone of a multi-billion dollar franchise.
What are Doncic`s expectations for the upcoming season?
Doncic needed time to fully process his trade from Dallas. Given the treatment he received from the Mavericks organization and fanbase early in his career, he had envisioned retiring as a Maverick, much like franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki. Having begun his professional journey with Real Madrid as a teenager, the possibility of being traded was entirely new to him, as such moves are exceedingly rare in the Liga ACB.
Once the initial shock wore off, Doncic`s focus quickly reverted to a “win-now” mentality, echoing his approach from his final days in Dallas.
Despite his multiyear commitment to the Lakers, Doncic harbors annual championship expectations. His dedication was evident through his rigorous offseason fitness regimen and active participation in recruiting players like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to Los Angeles.
His engagement reflects a strong partnership approach. Following a dinner meeting in May with Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka and Coach JJ Redick, alongside his business manager Lara Beth Seager, Doncic gained a deeper insight into the team`s financial strategies. Simultaneously, the team acquired a clearer understanding of Doncic`s aspirations.
I don`t want to wait,” Doncic conveyed during the dinner. “I`ve experienced the Finals, and I intend to return. Let`s do everything we can, starting now.
During the meeting, Pelinka and Redick reviewed future cap space, existing draft picks, and those they lacked, charting a collaborative path forward. Doncic was prompted to describe the types of players he believed the roster needed — a reliable pick-and-pop threat, a tenacious defensive stopper, and a dominant rim protector — enabling the Lakers to target suitable candidates.
How do the Lakers feel?
In a word? “Excited,” according to insights from within the Lakers organization.
The organization`s short-term objectives align perfectly with Doncic`s, and indeed, with LeBron James`s.
This team is driven to win championships,” a Lakers insider affirmed. “That ambition remains constant and will not waver.
The team`s reluctance to offer free agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith a contract beyond 2027 (which led to him signing with the Houston Rockets) gave some observers the impression that Los Angeles was merely hoarding cap space for a major free agent acquisition that summer. However, individuals close to the Lakers` strategy emphasize that their approach prioritizes flexibility, not the pursuit of another star player.
Would perennial MVP candidates like Nikola Jokic or Giannis Antetokounmpo be a perfect fit for the Lakers? Absolutely. Yet, the true objective is to maximize the team`s agility, allowing it to adapt to needs or opportunities each season while steadfastly pursuing championship titles.
Without optionality, you become stagnant,” as one Lakers insider succinctly stated.
From the moment Los Angeles traded Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick to acquire Doncic, securing his long-term commitment was paramount.
With this commitment now secured, the next chapter of Lakers basketball officially commences.
