Latest reports hint at Luka Doncic's potential offseason moves, speculated to influence his future contract decision with the Lakers.
Luka's Lakers Leap: contract clashes and EuroBasket adventures
Seems like Luka Doncic, Lakers' new boy, has a mighty busy summer ahead! Last year's playoff shocker against the Minnesota Timberwolves means more downtime for him, but EuroBasket 2025 is on the horizon. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, our Slovenian star plans to join his national team in late August.
McMenamin sheds some light on Doncic's surroundings, as his personal "body team" - Slovenian strength coach Anže Maček and physiotherapist Javier Barrio Calvo - will tag along throughout the offseason. Now, you might remember some drama between Doncic's crew and the Mavericks, with weight issues, questionable conditioning, and injury troubles playing a role in the megadeal.
Some LA fans might prefer Luka to stay put and focus on recovery and shape, but EuroBasket means a lot to him. And, hey, Europe might just get him in top form for the 2025-26 season kickoff! But remember, there's always that injury risk when stepping onto the court.
The Great Doncic Dilemma: Lakers' mega-bucks or home sweet Slovenia?
Alongside EuroBasket, Luka's gonna face a toughie in the contract department. Starting August 2, he'll be eligible to sign that coveted Lakers extension. McMenamin reports he's considering a four-year, $229 million deal, or a three-year, $165 million deal with a player option. This latter choice opens the door for him to nab a larger max deal in 2028.
Doncic will supposedly mull it over, but there's no sign of him backing off from the Lakers. Publicly, he's expressed a desire to stick around, and sources claim he feels "at home" in LA.
Now, LeBron James ain't got time for that internal lobbying, he said, letting the chips fall where they may. After all, he's got his own future to figure out, and barring any major surprises, it looks like both legends will team up again next season.
In case you're wondering, LeBron's contract situation is on the backburner for now. But let's get back to Luka – there's a EuroBasket and a contract extension coming up, man! Exciting times, indeed!
Enrichment Insights
- Contract Options: Luka Doncic is considering either a 4-year, $229 million contract extension or a 3-year, $165 million deal with a player option that would let him aim for a larger max deal in 2028[1].
- Current Contract: Doncic is due to earn around $46 million in 2025-26, with a player option for nearly $49 million in 2026-27[1].
- Supermax Eligibility: Doncic was initially eligible for a 5-year, $345.3 million supermax extension with the Dallas Mavericks. However, since his rookie contract ended in 2022 and he was traded to the Lakers, this option is no longer possible[1].
- Lakers' Future Commitment: Reports suggest that the Lakers are ready to grant Doncic significant control over his next contract, regarding him as a vital piece of the franchise for the coming decade[2][3].
- Contract Extension Deadline: Doncic will be able to sign the extension starting August 2, 2025[1]. The Lakers are eager to lock him in long-term this summer[3].
- Luka Doncic faces a tough decision this summer, as he grapples with both the EuroBasket tournament and contract negotiations with the Lakers.
- The basketball superstar is considering a four-year, $229 million contract extension from the Lakers or a three-year, $165 million deal with a player option that could potentially lead to a larger max deal in 2028.
