The NBA’s offseason cycle seemed to reach a lull over the last couple of weeks following a very busy late June and early July. However, some massive news dropped on Saturday as one of the league’s biggest superstars inked an extension to remain in a major market.
Luka Doncic announced his intention to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers via social media, posting a photo of himself signing his new contract extension. Per NBA insider Marc Stein, it’s a three-year, $165 million deal with a player option in year three.
The news comes as a massive relief for Lakers fans as free agency loomed in the distance for the Slovenian superstar. Now, the two sides come to an agreement to keep Doncic on the West Coast for at least a couple more seasons.
The Los Angeles Lakers enter the upcoming 2025-26 campaign with -425 odds to make the NBA Playoffs and +1400 odds to win the NBA Finals, the seventh-best of any team. They’ll look to make the most of this window with Doncic’s future now secured, though LeBron James’ own long-term plans remain more uncertain since the superstar turns 41 in December and enters unrestricted free agency next offseason.
Looking at the more long-term career outlook for Doncic, the five-time All-NBA selection is now set up to sign an even more lucrative five-year deal after the 2027-28 season worth somewhere in the $400 million range. In the meantime, the Lakers will surely try and capitalize on the cheaper salary for Doncic on his new extension and worry about the future at a later date.
