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Lakers Face Crucial Luka Doncic Contract Decision Amid 'Stress Max' Situation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 9:33 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers’ front office has been active this NBA offseason, trying to build around its newest superstar, Luka Doncic.

On July 6, the Lakers re‑signed rim‑running center Jaxson Hayes to a one‑year extension and inked former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton to a two‑year deal, pairing him with second‑year forward Jake LaRavia on a similar term.

Those moves, however, pale in significance compared to the decisions looming around Doncic's next contract.

On a Tuesday episode of "NBA Today," ESPN’s Brian Windhorst framed the situation in terms of three "max" paths: the 25% "fun max," the 30% "stress max" (a second max contract) and the 35% "legacy max."

According to Windhorst, the Lakers will present Doncic with the stress max this August, good for 30% of the cap, seeking to lock him in and alleviate front‑office uncertainty for the next two seasons.

Should he sign, Los Angeles can pivot to roster construction with clarity, planning beyond the end of LeBron James’ contract and crafting a championship window around Doncic.

Windy: "This is a stress max right now for Luka. The Lakers are a little bit stressed out about it. They want the no stress max" https://t.co/LJjPmW4O0m pic.twitter.com/lqs1reLA4H
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 15, 2025

If Doncic declines the extension and exercises his 2026 player option, he’ll hit unrestricted free agency amid a landscape with 10+ teams carrying cap space.

Any midseason wobble, say, a lengthy losing streak or logjam in the standings, would instantly reignite pressure on the Lakers’ front office and fuel speculation that Doncic could entertain sign‑and‑trade scenarios, as noted by Windhorst.

After joining L.A. on February 2, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists across the last 28 games with the Lakers, immediately reshaping the team’s offensive identity.

With the team finishing the 2024‑25 season 50-32, clinching the Pacific Division crown and No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, much of their late‑season surge was driven by Doncic.

For Los Angeles, it goes without saying that securing that "no‑stress max" is paramount.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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