No NBA player experienced a season quite like Luka Doncic. The 26-year-old superstar, who has made five All-NBA First Teams, led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, enjoying a strong rapport with fans in Dallas. Unexpectedly, however, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that shocked many. Compounding the irony, the Mavericks subsequently secured the top overall pick in the draft, using it to select promising talent Cooper Flagg.
Doncic Adjusts to Los Angeles
After the abrupt trade, Doncic spent the latter half of the season adapting to his new environment with the Lakers. The team managed to secure the No. 3 seed in the playoffs but faced early elimination in the first round at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the Mavericks front office made no secret of its intentions, often suggesting that Doncic’s conditioning played a role in their decision to let him go.
New Contract and Future Prospects
This offseason, Doncic has focused on his fitness and appears to be in excellent shape. The Lakers have shown commitment to him for the future, recently finalizing a three-year contract extension worth $165 million.
Had he remained with the Mavericks, Doncic could have pursued a significantly larger contract, eligible for a five-year, $345 million extension. Even after the trade, he could have signed for up to four years and $229 million with the Lakers. However, he opted to forgo that extra year—and an estimated $64 million—which many consider a wise decision in the long run.
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The new contract, effective following the upcoming season, includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, allowing Doncic to sign another lucrative deal in 2027—potentially worth up to $323 million over four years.
If he chooses to decline the option and waits until the 2028 season, he will have completed ten years in the NBA. Assuming the salary cap continues to rise by 10% each year, Doncic would be poised to sign a five-year extension worth a staggering $418 million with the Lakers—a scenario that would enable him to become the first player ever to earn $80 million in a single season. This deal would likely yield him over $1 million per game, with the final year featuring an unprecedented salary of $95 million.
Despite his disappointment in being traded from Dallas, Doncic remains focused on the future. He had envisioned a lengthy career with the Mavericks, akin to the legacy established by franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki. Nevertheless, securing a maximum contract and setting himself up for a historic payday offers a substantial consolation.
John is a seasoned journalist at The Bothside News, specializing in balanced reporting across news, sports, business, and lifestyle. He believes in presenting multiple perspectives to help readers form informed opinions. His work embodies the publication’s philosophy that truth emerges from examining all sides of every story.
