Rumors circulate about Luka Doncic's summer plans, as speculation heightens regarding his contract decision with the Lakers.
A Wild 2025 for Luka Doncic, Lakers Star!
The dust has barely settled on the whirlwind year that Luka Doncic has experienced, following his shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers' premature playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves may give Doncic a unexpected break, but he's still in for a packed summer. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Doncic intends to represent Slovenia at the EuroBasket 2025 tournament commencing in late August.
As McMenamin highlights, Doncic's close-knit "body team" — Slovenian national team strength coach Anže Mac̈ek and physiotherapist Javier Barrio Calvo — will accompany him throughout the off-season. The tumultuous relationship between Doncic's team and the Mavericks, with concerns over weight, conditioning, and injuries contributing to the blockbuster trade, remains fresh in memory.
While the Lakers and their supporters might prefer Doncic use the summer to recuperate and fine-tune his fitness, competing in EuroBasket carries significant personal significance. Yet, there's always the danger of injury when stepping onto the court. Hopefully, EuroBasket will have Doncic in shipshape for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Luka Doncic's Lakers Contract Dilemma
Amidst EuroBasket, Doncic is grappling with a critical contract decision. The Lakers can offer him a four-year, $229 million extension from August 2, 2025. Alternatively, he could opt for a three-year, $165 million extension with a player option, allowing him to pursue a larger max deal in 2028.
While Doncic is reportedly taking his time with this crucial choice, there's no indications he wishes to leave the Lakers despite the recent setback against the Timberwolves. Doncic has publicly expressed his desire to remain in Los Angeles, and sources close to McMenamin confirm Doncic feels "welcomed" in the city.
LeBron James has no intention of wading into Doncic's contract discussions, allowing events to unfold naturally. LeBron has his own personal decisions to make regarding his future, but barring a significant twist, it seems likely that he'll be teaming up with Doncic once more in the coming season.
- The EuroBasket 2025 tournament, starting in late August, will see Luka Doncic representing Slovenia, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
- In the midst of preparing for EuroBasket, Doncic faces a contract dilemma with the Lakers: he could choose a four-year, $229 million extension or a three-year, $165 million one with a player option.
- Despite the Lakers' premature playoff exit, Doncic expressed his desire to stay in Los Angeles, and sources close to McMenamin confirm his feelings of being welcomed in the city.
- LeBron James, who has his own personal decisions to make about his future, is not interfering in Doncic's contract discussions, allowing events to unfold naturally, but it seems likely that he'll be teaming up with Doncic once more in the coming season.
- Although competing in EuroBasket carries the risk of injury, the event could have Doncic in prime form for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.
