Luka Doncic spotted with JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka at Craig's ahead of Lakers superstar's $229M decision
Luka Doncic made waves around the basketball world when the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the LA Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. Since then, the five-time All-Star has adapted to life in California and has become a true Laker, at least on the court.
Despite putting up a great fight, the Purple and Gold fell against the Timberwolves as they sealed the first-round series with a Game 5 win on Wednesday. Now that the LA-based team has officially entered the offseason early, they have to plan their moves ahead of the new season.
The top priority among those decisions is the $229 million extension for Luka Doncic. On Friday, the Slovenian international was spotted leaving 'Craig's with his coach, JJ Redick, and Lakers' general manager Rob Pelinka.
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Slovenian international is eligible for a $229 million four-year extension. According to Spotrac, Doncic is currently under his five-year, $215 million contract, which he signed with the Mavs in the 2022-23 season.
He is set to earn $45.9 million next season and has a player option for the 2026-27 season. In an unlikely scenario where the Purple and Gold failed to negotiate a deal with the five-time All-Star, he will become an unrestricted free agent in the 2027-28 season.
Luka Doncic has delivered a spectacular performance for the Purple and Gold since his trade. As a Laker, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game this season. He also showed up in the playoffs and even played while sick in Game 3 of the first-round series against the Timberwolves.
NBA insider reveals Luka Doncic will "take his time" to decide on Lakers extension
If the blockbuster Doncic-Davis trade would not have happened, the Slovenian international would have been eligible for a super max contract. In the past five seasons, Doncic has checked out every box to prove himself worthy of a super max contract.
He made the All-Star team four consecutive times and also led the Mavs to the NBA Finals last season. However, the trade to the Lakers saved the Mavs from offering their former superstar a super max contract while also making Doncic ineligible for the same on his new team.
Despite a supermax being off the table, the Slovenian international is eligible for an extension. On Friday, ESPN's Dave McMenamin revealed that the Lakers star has decided to "take his time" with the decision.
"I've been focused on basketball," Doncic said. "So, obviously, this is the time now to think about everything."
The Lakers are entering the offseason with major learning about the flaws in their system. Their biggest priority right now, apart from retaining Luka Doncic, should be to find a viable big man to complete their lineup for the new season.
