Luka Doncic is ultimately entitled to sign a five-year $406 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he has a reason to pass it on.
When the Los Angeles Lakers rocked Luka Donsic’s big hit trade last season, they did so with the hope that LeBron James could take over as the face of the franchise as he concluded his illustrious career.
Doncic has only two seasons left on the contract, and has a player choice between 2026-27, giving no indication that he wants to leave Los Angeles, but he really doesn’t imply that he wants to stay.
Between James, Austin Reeves and DeAndre Ayton, the Lakers should be able to create a solid roster around him and invite high-level free agents once James retires. After the following season, Doncic was able to sign an even bigger extension in LA, but there are plenty of reasons to sign this summer instead.
If Doncic waits until next summer to sign a three-year, $161 million extension, he could make an eye-opening $406 million from 2029.
This summer he signed a five-year extension worth $228 million and is on the contract until 2031.
By the time his $228 million deal is over, he will be 32 and will be able to sign a deal even bigger than the $406 million blockbuster, but that is not guaranteed based on health, salary caps and other factors.
Still, rather than waiting for him to show he’s on board with the Lakers’ new ownership group, we can argue that Donsic should take an extension this year.
“There’s something I have to say for signalling to a new ownership group that I want to be your partner,” claimed ESPN’Brian Windhorst.
“And there are worse brands to commit and worse brands to commit to worse owning groups than the Lakers and Mark Walter.
“So, what Luka can do is to have a financial benefit of being connected right now, but to a new ownership “Let’s start a business together.”
If Luka expands herself to 2031 this summer, the Lakers will know exactly who and how much they owe, and during the 2027 free agency, Los Angeles could target players like Giannis Antetocomo, Nicola Jokic and Trae Young.
With James approaching the end of his career and his massive pay comes out of the book at the end of next season, the Lakers are able to give Don Chick the key to the franchise, throwing enormous amounts of money to the players he wants to target.
The Lakers are expected to hold Austin Reeves even if he is approaching his own free agency, but James and Ayton are both limited deals and by the time 2027 (or 2026) roll, the Lakers have enough money to sign an open roster and free agency superstar.
Of course, Doncic can simply sign his extension next summer. After all, the chances of getting a $406 million deal are hard to pass, but if he has faith in his ability to remain an elite in his 30s, he can help him make more money in the long run and build a better team if he signs a contract this summer on August 2nd.