Luka Doncic’s recruiting efforts to help bring in prospective targets on the Los Angeles Lakers has dispelled some of the fears about the superstar’s future with the Purple and Gold, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
“External fretting about Doncic committing his long-term future to the Lakers, meanwhile, has dissipated considerably thanks to the contributions made by the 26-year-old throughout free agency in collaboration with vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka,” Stein reported Sunday.
Luka Doncic Was A Lead Recruiter For Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart
Stein also described Doncic as a “lead recruiter” for veteran center Deandre Ayton and guard Marcus Smart, who the Lakers were able to add after clearing $4.2 million in cap space by waiving Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin.
Ayton, 26, agreed to a two-year, $16.6 million deal. The Lakers will pay him $8.1 million — the remainder of the midlevel exception after factoring in free agent Jake LaRavia’s salary — in 2025-26. His contract also includes a player option for the second season.
Per Spotrac, between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Lakers, Ayton will earn $34 million next season. This signing came after the seven-year veteran finalized a buyout with Portland.
Meanwhile, Smart agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and plans to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers after clearing waivers.
The 31-year-old was the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year and is a three-time All-Defensive member. He also has plenty of postseason experience with 108 playoff games during his time on the Boston Celtics.
Doncic Expected To Sign Three-Year, $165 Million Extension
Doncic, a seven-year veteran, is expected to opt out of his contract next summer, given how much more he can make compared to his $49 million player option.
Per Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Doncic could reportedly sign a three-year, $165 million contract extension next month. The five-time All-Star is also eligible to sign up to a four-year, $229 million max extension on Aug. 2.
“So that all to me suggests that Luka is going to be staying and everything I’ve heard behind the scenes has been positive,” Buha said during his Lakers Mailbag segment.
“I know he’s been very happy, and his representation’s been very happy, and management’s been happy, and everyone’s been happy. So I expect Luka to sign probably the shorter-term extension, three years, $165 million. Nothing has changed on that front.”
Short-Term Extension Allows Doncic To Potentially Recoup $345 Million
The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in a shocking trade in February that sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and Los Angeles’ 2029 first-round pick to Dallas.
Locking up Doncic on a long-term deal has been among the team’s top priorities this summer.
A four-year, $229 million max features the $51 million first-year salary for 2026-27, which replaces the player option for that season, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The three-year, $165 million extension carries a player option in the third year. The short-term extension allows Doncic to reenter free agency sooner and potentially recoup the $345 million he lost when the Mavs traded him.
In 28 games (all starts) with the Lakers last season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 35.1 minutes per contest while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from deep.
The former No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 draft was sidelined for nearly seven weeks due to a strained left calf sustained on Christmas while playing for Dallas.