Luka Doncic is less than two weeks away from becoming eligible for a massive contract extension, and the Lakers are making their stance crystal clear.
While formal negotiations can’t begin until August 2nd, the franchise is already laying the groundwork for what it hopes will be a long-term partnership with the 26-year-old superstar.
“We aren’t even allowed to do that until next month (August 2nd), so it’s a bit early to talk about that,” a Lakers executive told Spotrac’s Keith Smith during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “But Luka and his reps know how we feel about him. They’ve known that since we’ve traded for him. This will hopefully be a long, long partnership between Luka and us.”
Doncic arrived in L.A. via a blockbuster deal with the Mavericks in February, a trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. Since then, he’s not only embraced being the face of the franchise, but has taken a proactive role in shaping the team’s future.
“I would say if you’re a Laker fan, you shouldn’t have any worry about Luka coming to some sort of extension agreement.”@mcten is optimistic about Luka Doncic working out a contract extension with the Lakers 🔥🙌 pic.twitter.com/bR2aT3O3lJ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 23, 2025
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin doesn’t think Lakers fans have any reason to think Luka won’t extend.
“There was ownership by Luka of this offseason to stamp down that he wants to be part of the Lakers moving forward and he wants others to join him,” McMenamin said. “So he makes calls to DeAndre Ayton the guy who came into the draft with him as the number one pick. Now he’s the center for the Lakers. Makes calls to Marcus Smart. Needs to fill the point of attack defender spot. The Dorian Finney Smith occupied last year. He now plays for the Houston Rockets. Gets Marcus Smart to come. And I think as we look forward, we look at that August 2nd date when the Lakers can offer an extension to Luka Doncic worth four years, $222 million up to that figure”
READ MORE: Marcus Smart Details How Luka Doncic Recruited Him to the Lakers
