Luka Doncic will be a Los Angeles Laker for the foreseeable future.
The 26-year-old five-time All-Star secured a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the franchise on Saturday, allowing Rob Pelinka and the Lakers to exhale in early August.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Doncic could sign a historic $418 million deal with Los Angeles three years down the road if he plays his cards right.
“By signing a 2-plus-1 extension, Doncic can become an unrestricted free agent in either 2028 or 2029, when he will already have 10 years of service in the league,” McMenamin wrote Saturday.
“Based on (Bobby) Marks’ annual cap projection of 10%, there will be another enormous payday coming for Doncic. The Lakers will be able to re-do his deal in the summer of 2027 and offer him a four-year, $323 million extension at that point.”
“On the other hand, if Doncic plays the two guaranteed additional years on his deal and declines his player option for 2028-29, he could sign a five-year extension at that point worth around $418 million in his age-29 season.”
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“That potential deal could make him the first player in league history to land an $80 million season salary, taking home nearly $1 million per game: A staggering figure.”
Doncic has done everything right since the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
From making a commendable effort to improve his health and fitness to wisely recruiting a valuable 2022 Player of the Year in Marcus Smart, the former Dallas Mavericks phenomenon has shown he’s serious about winning a championship next season.
Doncic, who contributed 30.2 points per game on 45.2% field goal shooting and 34.8% three-point shooting this past postseason, should be optimistic about the Lakers’ chances of reaching the promised land during what could be LeBron James’ last dance in Los Angeles.
As long as Doncic continues to hold his weight and ensures the organization remains competitive yearly, though, he should position himself for a massive payday in 2028, whether or not he orchestrates a championship run.
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