The Los Angeles Lakers will be aiming to lock down their generational talent.
The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a hopeful 2025-26 campaign with ex-Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić at the helm, but the franchise has already zeroed in on securing their long-term future.
With countless rumors regarding the dismay of 21-time All-Star LeBron James beginning to circulate, the storied organization will evidently prioritize their 26-year-old phenom moving forward.
Of course, the Lakers' first step towards appeasing Dončić will be inking the 5-time All-NBA First Team selection to a gargantuan contract extension this summer.
Dončić will be eligible to sign a 4-year extension with Los Angeles worth up to $228 million after Aug. 2, but recent reports have indicated that the Slovenian superstar could choose to sign on for less in the interim in exchange for opportunity to completely re-shape the NBA free agency landscape in a few short years.
"Instead, Dončić could opt to sign a shorter, three-year deal worth roughly $165 million, with a player option for the third year, which would extend through the 2028-29 season," CBS Sports' Jasmyn Wimbish wrote Friday.
"The reason for this path would be to allow Dončić to become a free agent sooner, which would coincide with the completion of his 10th year of NBA service."
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"At that point in time, if he declines his player option for the 2028-29 season, it would make him eligible to sign a contract worth 35% of the salary cap."
"Assuming that the salary cap rises 10% each season, that would allow Dončić to sign a projected five-year, $418 million deal."
With a series of lucrative decisions over the next few seasons, it's possible for Dončić to set himself up for an otherworldly $418 million contract agreement with a Lakers team that would remain eager to lock him in for the majority of his career.
Dončić would likely remain with the team through his age-34 season if he were to follow this exact path, and the he's already shown nothing but loyalty to the squad since landing in Los Angeles via trade prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline this past season.
Following his arrival to the Lakers, the versatile 6-foot-6 offensive weapon contributed 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists on a 59.0% true shooting percentage spanning 28 appearances to close the regular season.
Heading into 2025-26, Los Angeles' front office and general manager Rob Pelinka will surely be putting pedal to the metal in an effort to have the habitual MVP candidate commit to an extension of any kind, regardless of what it may cost down the road.
Category: Basketball
