Luka Doncic could soon sign a lucrative short-term extension to solidify his future with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN NBA front office analyst Bobby Marks.
In a recent breakdown published by Marks, the most likely scenario for the 26-year-old star involves a three-year, $165 million extension with a player option in the final season. The deal would begin in 2026–27 and offer Doncic the ability to reenter free agency ahead of the 2028–29 season.
Marks noted that a longer four-year, $229 million max extension is also possible, replacing the $51 million player option currently on Doncic’s contract for 2026–27. However, the insider believes the shorter deal is more probable given Doncic’s position and past salary implications.
“The short-term extension would allow Doncic to reenter free agency sooner and potentially recoup the $345 million he lost when he was traded from the Mavericks,” Marks wrote.
Doncic was dealt from Dallas to Los Angeles on February 2 in a midseason trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. The move, viewed as one of the most significant trades in league history, caught Doncic off guard as Dallas completed the deal while he was sidelined with a strained calf.
Despite the surprise, Doncic made it clear in a pre-playoff interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews that he intends to remain with the Lakers. His current contract has two seasons remaining, including the player option in 2026–27.
The Slovenian guard averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 regular-season games with the Lakers following the trade. He posted 30.2 points per game across five playoff appearances.
Marks emphasized that the Lakers’ top offseason priority is to build a roster around Doncic for the post-LeBron James era. “While there should be confidence in Doncic extending, showing him what a post-LeBron James roster could look like is a major priority,” he wrote.
The Lakers finished third in the Western Conference but were eliminated by Minnesota in five games in the first round of the playoffs.
Doncic, a five-time All-NBA First Team selection, is currently in the fourth year of his five-year, $215 million contract originally signed with Dallas in 2021.
