NBA star Luka Doncic commits to a substantial seven-figure sum upon securing his Lakers contract extension, potentially opening the door for the league's inaugural $500 million deal.
Luka Doncic Signs Three-Year Extension with Los Angeles Lakers, Setting Up Potential Record-Breaking Contract
In a significant move for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA, Luka Doncic has officially committed to a three-year, $165 million extension with the team. This deal, which keeps Doncic with the Lakers through at least 2028, sets the stage for a potential record-breaking contract in the future.
Doncic's current contract extension includes a player option in 2028. At that point, with over 10 years of NBA service time, Doncic will be eligible for a supermax contract worth up to 35% of the salary cap. This larger contract, projected to be worth five years and $417 million, would compensate for money Doncic lost by being traded from the Dallas Mavericks, where he was eligible for a supermax starting at around $315 million over five years.
This future contract would place Doncic among the richest in professional sports. While the exact all-time largest NBA contract can vary with salary cap changes, a five-year, $417 million contract would surpass previous supermax deals. In MLB, although contracts can be very large nominally, many are structured over more years with different salary cap mechanics, making direct comparisons complex. Nonetheless, a $417 million NBA contract is among the highest guaranteed earnings seen in U.S. professional sports, well above typical MLB contract averages.
The strategic timing and financial structure of Doncic's deal are noteworthy. Due to NBA rules limiting a player’s immediate post-trade earnings, Doncic could not sign the maximum supermax extension immediately after his trade from the Dallas Mavericks. Instead, he accepted a slightly lower three-year maximum contract at about 30% of the salary cap, with a player option that enables him to become a free agent again in 2028.
Doncic's ability to secure a full no-trade clause in his next contract (after 2028) further underlines his leverage and status in the NBA, a rarity that enhances his control over his career trajectory.
On the court, Doncic has established himself as one of the best players in the league. Over seven years, he has averaged 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 450 outings.
Off the court, Doncic has shown a commitment to giving back. He recently pledged to help the future generation of athletes by donating $5 million. Previously, he donated $500,000 to wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles and $5,000 to restore a vandalized mural of Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers, who were recently sold for a record $10 billion, could have an estimated $54 million to $84 million in cap space, depending on Austin Reaves' cap hold. The team's acquisition of Doncic, following the reported awakening of a "monster" within him after the Mavericks trade, adds a promising new dimension to their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
However, the future of LeBron James with the Lakers remains uncertain. With Doncic's potential max extension in 2028 set to surpass Jayson Tatum's historic contract by a significant margin, the Lakers are poised to build a formidable team for years to come.
[1] NBA Rules Limit Immediate Post-Trade Earnings for Players [2] Doncic's Contract Extension: A Strategic Move for the Lakers [3] The Financial Implications of Doncic's Contract Extension [4] Doncic's Body Transformation: Media Skepticism and Reality
[1] In the wake of Luka Doncic's trade from the Dallas Mavericks, NBA rules limited his immediate post-trade earnings, necessitating a strategic approach to his contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
[2] The three-year, $165 million extension that Luka Doncic signed with the Lakers represents a significant move not only for the team but also for the NBA, positioning Doncic for a potential record-breaking contract in the future.
[3] With his future contract projected to be worth five years and $417 million, Luka Doncic is set to rank among the richest athletes in professional sports, surpassing previous supermax deals in the NBA and eclipsing typical MLB contract averages.
[4] Media skepticism surrounds the dramatic body transformation Luka Doncic has undergone following his trade to the Lakers. However, the remarkable improvements in his athletic performance on the court suggest a committed approach to both physical fitness and basketball mastery.
