Lakers Could Set Up Luka Doncic to Sign Massive $406 Million Extension

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to offer star Luka Doncic a massive contract extension in August, but it will only be a precursor to a bigger contract down the road.

The extension window opens up for Doncic on Aug. 2 when he can sign a multi-year deal worth millions.

The biggest deal he can sign this offseason is a four-year, $223 million deal that makes him earn more than $55 million per season.

If he takes a more patient approach, the 26-year-old can get a bigger payday down the road.

The Athletic's John Hollinger broke down what an extension for the Lakers superstar could look like.

"However, it seems vastly more likely he will take a shorter deal that would make him eligible for 35 percent of the cap once he achieves 10-year veteran status in the summer of 2028," Hollinger wrote in an article on The Athletic.

"Contractually, Dončić is a rarity: a superstar who was traded before his second contract ended. That makes him ineligible for the supermax deal that most players of his ilk can sign at the end of their second contract.

"However, if he were to void his player option in 2026 and sign a three-year, $161 million extension with the Lakers with a 2028-29 player option, he would be a 10-year vet in the summer of 2028.

"At that point, he could sign a monstrous five-year deal worth up to approximately $406 million to remain in L.A."

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Doncic is set to become one of the highest-paid players in the NBA, though his contract will be limited due to being traded from the Mavericks.

The Lakers are facing pressure to get the Doncic deal done since he can make the same amount if he leaves during free agency next season as he would signing an extension.

Doncic can make the Lakers sweat for his signature, but all indications are that he is happy in Los Angeles and will eventually sign the massive contract.

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