With a player option in 2026-27 paying far below his value, Luka Dončić is essentially on a contract that expires next season. So, the Los Angeles Lakers will have to start thinking about the Slovenian sensation’s next deal. And veteran sports journalist Brian Windhorst believes Luka’s possible extension this summer is arguably the biggest thing on the table in the entire NBA.
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Windhorst insisted that Dončić would reach an agreement with LA this offseason and laid out some options for his next deal. Dončić could sign for either three or four years with his new team, with a four-year deal paying him around $230 million.
Windhorst understands why the longer option may not be in the five-time All-Star’s best interest. Regardless of the deal’s minutiae, the journalist believes Luka and the Lakers are destined for a long-term partnership.
There were some issues with the Lakers going forward, with a lack of movable deals, long-term co-stars, or tradable draft picks. But, now that the Buss family has officially sold the franchise to businessman Mark Walter, Windhorst doesn’t think there’s a better place for Luka than LA.
“Now, I would tell [Luka] with this potential new investment, you couldn’t be in a better basketball situation in the world with the Lakers,” Windhorst said on Get Up.
“Having said that, until he gets into that contract, there will still be a little uncertainty,” he added.
Players this good rarely change teams at this young age. When you consider that the franchise traded future Hall of Famer Anthony Davis for Dončić, LA will be doing everything in its power to please the 26-year-old superstar. With an ownership change to boot, the Lakers are in their best position to contend for a title since the 2020 victory.
Markieff Morris also believes Luka will sign again with the Lakers this summer, but the team has to find a way to build around him. “It’s minor tweaks,” the veteran forward said.
“You are in a position where LeBron has maybe two years left, and he’s trying to win right now. So I don’t think bringing in a ton of new pieces and kind of revamping the team makes a ton of sense,” said Morris.
“You may get a big here and there, but I don’t think you move core pieces to get a big and mess the team up,” Morris continued. “When in all reality, you only need one big for the big fella, Joker, to be able to get to The Finals … I think you come back with the same core pieces, and you just add maybe a big and you just keep growing your team.”
Windy doesn’t have a problem with the Lakers keeping their core together. But if LA does run it back, he stressed that there is one massive upgrade they have to make this summer.
“If they’re going to be fully committed to playing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves together… They just need more interior defense because those guys are susceptible on the outside. So they need someone who can defend,” Windhorst added.
It’s odd that people are so optimistic about a team that dramatically fell out of the first round in five games. This despite the betting public making them the second favorite to come out of the West behind the eventual conference champion OKC Thunder.
Still, the blueprint is clear for the Lakers this summer. After boasting one of the league’s best offenses post-Dončić trade, adding defense will be the priority.
There will be several talented big men available in free agency. But if the Lakers want to make a splash, they’ll find a way to trade for a starting-caliber center.
