While Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic enjoys a high-profile summer in Greece preparing to lead Slovenia in EuroBasket, Lakers fans are left waiting for one more highlight: his contract extension.
Doncic is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension beginning August 2, but don’t expect any champagne-popping right away. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Lakers fans should brace for patience, not panic.
Luka Doncic’s Lakers Contract Delay Isn’t Cause for Panic—It’s Just Smart Timing
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“I would not expect it to happen that early. He’s playing for the Slovenian national team. Do not freak out if you do not hear from Luka contractually until September,” Windhorst said on NBA Today.
Doncic is committed to his country’s EuroBasket campaign, which runs from August 27 to September 14. And historically, he has pressed pause on NBA business during national team duty—a familiar habit for those who followed his time in Dallas.
“He won the EuroBasket for Slovenia earlier in his career—probably the greatest moment of his career,” Windhorst added. “When he’s been playing for the national team, he has not done NBA business, including NBA contracts.”
Behind the delay, though, there’s strategy. Reports indicate Doncic may prefer a shorter three-year, $165 million deal—still lucrative, but with a player option and greater long-term flexibility. Such a move would give him leverage in future negotiations and potentially help him recoup earnings lost in the Dallas trade fallout.
Despite the wait, there’s no tension between Doncic and the Lakers. The franchise remains thrilled about their bold midseason trade that swapped Anthony Davis for their new cornerstone. Doncic’s debut season in L.A. was a success—he averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game—and he’s positioned as the future face of the franchise.
So while Lakers fans may not see pen to paper until late summer, all signs point to a long-term partnership. The delay? Just good business—and a sign of Luka’s loyalty to both country and team.