Windhorst: Lakers Don't Have Advantages Mavs Had to Guarantee Luka Signs New Contract

Luka Dončić re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers when the moment comes may not be a fait accompli, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Windhorst said Thursday on Get Up he'd "wager" on Dončić penning a new deal with L.A. this summer. The Lakers, however, lack the "advantages" the Dallas Mavericks possessed when he was under contract with them.

"And while yes, many of the stars who were traded there over their career, whether it was Kareem or Anthony Davis, whomever, have re-signed, we did see this happen once before where Dwight Howard was traded there, it didn't work out and he didn't re-sign," Windhorst said. "So, the Lakers are experts at this, it's their No. 1 priority. I would bet on it. But if you're talking the real talk about what the pressure for the rest of the season is, it's to get Luka comfortable enough to say, 'This is where I want to be.'"

The biggest edge the Mavs had with the five-time All-Star was the five-year, $345 million supermax extension. The supermax is now off the table since he's on a different team.

Instead, the most the Lakers can offer is $229 million over four years, and Dončić is incentivized to sign a shorter deal than that. The Athletic's John Hollinger suggested he could prefer securing a player option for 2028-29. By turning the option down, he'd be in line for a supermax with the Lakers in the 2028 offseason.

That's why the Lakers may not get a ton of long-term security this summer even if Luka re-signs. He could still be four years out from free agency, and nothing would stop him from requesting a trade at any point before that.

Dončić could easily spend the rest of his career in purple and gold, much like other legends before him. But general manager Rob Pelinka knows selling the 25-year-old on the organizational vision will be an ongoing process throughout that time.