Lakers’ Luka Doncic Expected To Sign Three-Year, $165M Extension

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic could reportedly sign a three-year, $165 million contract extension next month, according to NBA insider Jovan Buha.

Luka Doncic May Prefer To Sign The Shorter-Term Extension

Doncic, 26, is the new franchise superstar who the Lakers acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in February. The five-time All-Star is not a free agent but is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $229 million max extension on Aug. 2.

“So that all to me suggests that Luka is going to be staying and everything I’ve heard behind the scenes has been positive,” Buha said during his Lakers Mailbag segment. “I don’t know that he loved losing DFS [Dorian Finney-Smith]. That was one of his closest teammates. He was one of his closest friends in the NBA.

“And that is like one thing that I don’t think was great with this whole situation of this summer. But outside of that, everything has been positive with his time with the Lakers. I know he’s been very happy, and his representation’s been very happy, and management’s been happy, and everyone’s been happy.

“So I expect Luka to sign probably the shorter-term extension, three years, $165 million. Nothing has changed on that front. But I think the whole timing wrench and how this could just be a let’s take our time with this and let’s go through EuroBasket and then let’s continue to ponder and maybe sign something right before the season. But whether it’s on August 2nd or on September 15th, I think Luka is going to sign that extension and I think he’s going to remain a Laker.”

Three-Year, $165 Million Extension Includes Player Option

A four-year, $229 million max features the $51 million first-year salary for 2026-27, which replaces the player option for that season, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

However, based on Buha’s latest comments, Doncic is more likely to sign the three-year, $165 million extension, which carries a player option in the third year.

The short-term extension allows Doncic to reenter free agency sooner and potentially recoup the $345 million he lost when Dallas traded him.

If a new contract is not reached, Doncic will become a free agent in the summer of 2026.

In 28 games (all starts) with the Lakers last season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 35.1 minutes per contest while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range.

The former No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 draft was sidelined for nearly seven weeks due to a strained left calf sustained on Christmas while playing for the Mavs.