Aside from massive speculation around LeBron James’ future, Lakers fans are also waiting with bated breath on their other superstar, Luka Doncic, and what he’ll do now that he’s in LA. According to NBA insider Bobby Marks, the 27-year-old maestro has multiple extension options at his disposal, but there’s one he may be more inclined to accept than others.
Insider Expects Lakers Star to Sign This Extension
Doncic May Go for Short-Term Deal
In a preview of key extension-eligible candidates, Marks outlined Doncic’s copious options for sticking with the Lakers. The biggest? A four-year, $229 million max deal, which he is eligible to sign on Aug. 2. But while that contract may seem appealing for Doncic at first glance, it may not be the route he takes after all.
ESPN’s front office insider says the “more likely” option for Doncic is “a three-year, $165 million extension that includes a player option in the third year. 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 also noted that while there should be “confidence” in Doncic sticking around, “showing him what a post-LeBron James roster could look like is a major priority.”
The proposed extension for Doncic includes a player option for 2028-29, when the Lakers’ roster would look remarkably different than presently constructed. According to their payroll, the only Lakers who could stay past 2027 are Jarred Vanderbilt ($13.3 million player option), Dalton Knecht ($6.4 million team option) and Bronny James ($2.4 million team option). With the elder James’ window closing, Austin Reaves’ future uncertain, and other players reaching free agency next summer, the next few years would give LA a crucial opportunity to build around Doncic in the middle of his prime.
Roster Construction Hinges on Another Important Laker
Retooling the Lakers in a post-LeBron era will not only rely on adding complementary players, but also keeping in-house talent. That’s another dilemma the Lakers will face when it comes to their situation with Reaves.
In the same story, Marks predicted that the 27-year-old undrafted phenom bypasses an extension in favor of 2026 free agency. The Lakers can only offer Reaves a four-year, $89.2 million extension, which features a salary well below his rumored hopes of $30 million. Seemingly taking that factor into account, Marks added: “Declining the $14.9 million player option in 2026-27 would give him more financial options on a fresh contract with the Lakers.”
Reaves has had nothing but praise for the franchise that gave him his start in the league, and his career year only underscores his importance to the Lakers, especially as they undergo significant changes in short order. Doncic even praised Reaves in an appearance on “Mind the Game,” saying, “[Us] two out there and [Austin Reaves], who’s been playing unbelievable. I still think it’s a work in progress.”
That chemistry could only grow next season and truly flourish once Doncic takes the reins—which makes it all the more important for Reaves to rejoin LA in free agency (should he decide to test the waters after all).
The ex-Oklahoma guard has a while to decide on his extension—until the end of next June. If he decides against it, Reaves will play out the final guaranteed year of his contract on a $13.9 million salary, with a $14.8 million player option (2026-27) to follow suit.
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