Luka Doncic, acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2025 NBA trade deadline, has become a pivotal figure in the team's plans despite their early playoff exit. The unexpected trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers has shifted the short-term dynamics for Los Angeles, who were favorites to win the championship. Doncic's contract situation is now a central focus, as he is under contract for one more year with a player option for the 2026-2027 season. The Lakers have until August 2, 2025, to negotiate an extension, but Doncic's trade has cost him eligibility for a supermax contract, leading to potential financial implications. He might seek a three-year extension with a player option for 2028-2029, allowing him to regain supermax eligibility after accruing 10 years of service time.

Luka Doncic was unexpectedly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2025 NBA trade deadline from the Dallas Mavericks, where he was considered the team's centerpiece, in a move that shocked the league.

Despite being favorites, the Lakers were eliminated early from the 2025 NBA playoffs, making Doncic a focal point for the team's upcoming offseason strategy as they look towards the 2025-2026 season.

Doncic's contract includes one more guaranteed year and a player option for the 2026-2027 season, with a critical deadline for extension negotiations set for August 2, 2025, which is vital for securing his long-term presence in Los Angeles.

Due to being traded, Doncic is no longer eligible for a supermax contract, resulting in a potential loss of over $116 million in guaranteed money, but ESPN's Bobby Marks suggests a strategic three-year extension could eventually lead back to supermax eligibility.

The potential contract extension would allow Doncic to reach 10 years of NBA service, a milestone for supermax eligibility, with the possible terms including a player option for the 2028-2029 season, estimated to be worth about $165 million.

The Lakers have been knocked out of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Los Angeles was considered a favorite to win this year's NBA championship after acquiring star guard Luka Doncic at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. 

The trade was one of the most unexpected moves in NBA history, sending shockwaves around the league. Doncic felt like the centerpiece of the Mavericks, and all of a sudden, he was traded overnight to the Lakers. The move, at least in the short term, didn't get Los Angeles to the NBA Finals.

Now, that the Lakers are looking to the 2025-2026 season, Doncic will be one of the focal points of the offseason. The star guard needs a new contract. He has one more year under contract, and then a player option for the 2026-2027 season. Even though it is still another season off, NBA teams tend to get their contract extensions early, so Doncic could certainly ink a new deal this summer that keeps him in Los Angeles for the long term.

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Here is more on Doncic's contract situation and what it means for the Lakers. 

Luka Doncic contract

In 2021, Dallas signed the guard to a five-year contract extension worth $215.2 million. This was the second contract of his career. They included a player option on the back-end, so Doncic could decline that and hit free agency a year earlier. This becomes more intriguing with Los Angeles as veteran forward LeBron James could be looking to retire around then, if not before, which could largely change the short-term outlook for the Lakers. Doncic may want a fresh start with a new team with a better chance of winning a championship. 

Luka Doncic contract extension deadline

• Deadline date: Aug. 2, 2025

The Lakers will have until August 2, 2025 to extend Doncic. This date doesn't matter much, as long as Doncic were to pick up his player option. If he did, this would give them an extra year to work out the negotiations before he hits free agency. This is still going to be an important date this summer as it is the easiest path to a long-term deal with the star guard. 

For what it is worth, Doncic was asked about his future and did say that he wants to remain a Laker and stay in L.A.

Luka Doncic with @malika_andrews about being a Los Angeles Laker and playing with LeBron James 👀

"I mean, it's LeBron." 😅 pic.twitter.com/H4UssF3XSk

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 18, 2025

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Luka Doncic contract projection

Because he was traded, Doncic will miss out on a hefty payday. He is no longer supermax eligible due to the trade and will miss out on upwards of $116 million of guaranteed money. 

ESPN's Bobby Marks thinks the best play for Doncic is to sign a three-year extension that includes a player option for the 2028-2029 season. This gives him enough time to hit 10 years of service time, which puts him back in the supermax eligibility. The best estimation is that Doncic would make about $165 million over the course of this contract, leading to a super max.