Lakers Fans ‘Shouldn’t Have Any Worry’ About Luka Doncic Signing New Contract

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic will become eligible to sign up to a four-year, $229 million max extension on Aug. 2. The five-time All-NBA member could also ink a three-year, $165 million contract extension.

Luka Doncic’s Recruiting Calmed Lakers’ Contract Concerns

The Lakers were reportedly growing anxious over whether or not Doncic would re-sign with the Purple and Gold, until the seven-year veteran helped eased some of the fears with his contributions in free agency.

Appearing on Wednesday’s episode of NBA Today, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said Lakers fans “shouldn’t have any worry” about Doncic signing an extension next month.

NBA insider Marc Stein also reported on Sunday the Lakers’ concerns about Doncic’s commitment to them have “dissipated considerably” over the past couple of weeks.

“External fretting about Doncic committing his long-term future to the Lakers, meanwhile, has dissipated considerably thanks to the contributions made by the 26-year-old throughout free agency in collaboration with vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka,” Stein said.

Plus, Stein described Doncic as a “lead recruiter” for veteran center Deandre Ayton and guard Marcus Smart, who the Lakers were able to add after clearing $4.2 million in cap space by waiving Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin.

Doncic Expected To Sign Three-Year, $165 Million Extension

Doncic is ineligible to sign a supermax deal as a result of being dealt by the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline last season.

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.

The three-year, $165 million extension 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 the Mavs traded him.

In addition, a two-plus-one extension would allow him to become a free agent in the summer of 2028 when he could get a five-year, $418 million deal.

If a new deal is not reached, he would be able to hit free agency next summer by turning down his $49 million salary for 2026-27.

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 deep.