NBA Insider ‘Would Be Shocked’ if Luka Dončić Doesn’t Sign Extension With Los Angeles Lakers

One NBA insider who covers the Los Angeles Lakers for ESPN “would be shocked” if Luka Dončić doesn’t sign an extension with the purple and gold this offseason.

Ramona Shelburne, the veteran ESPN insider/reporter, expects Dončić and the Lakers to agree to an extension in August.

“I’m going to say this, and I know I’ll get aggregated, but I feel this strongly about it,” Shelburne said on ESPN LA Radio. “I would be shocked if he didn’t sign an extension.”

Dončić can sign an extension with Los Angeles on August 2 for as much as four years and $229 million. The former Dallas Mavericks superstar can also sign a two-year extension with the Lakers that gets him to 10 years of service by the time the offseason of 2028 rolls around. Dončić can then sign a five-year max contract at 35% of the salary cap to maximize his earnings.

One of the best players in the NBA, Dončić recruited Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to the Lakers, who were the third seed in the West last season but lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists with Los Angeles in the regular season and 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the 2025 playoffs. The five-time All-Star has gotten slimmer this offseason.

The Lakers are expected to start Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Ayton next season.

In a video released by the Lakers on Saturday called “Luka Dončić: Born to Compete, Destined to Dominate,” Dončić was asked how he wants to be known as a Laker and the 26-year-old didn’t mince words.

“The guy that brought championships to the city, for sure,” Dončić said.

That has to be music to Lakers fans’ ears.