Lakers Insider Says Fans 'Shouldn't Have Any Worry' About Luka Signing New Contract

Ten days before Luka Dončić becomes eligible to sign a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, there is some optimism he will put pen to paper at some point this offseason.

Appearing on Wednesday's episode of NBA Today, ESPN's Dave McMenamin said Lakers fans "shouldn't have any worry" about Dončić signing an extension.

Dončić has a lot of options to choose from when he becomes extension-eligible on Aug. 2. He is ineligible to sign a supermax deal as a result of being traded by the Dallas Mavericks during the season.

Instead of having a five-year, $345 million offer on the table, the max Dončić can get from the Lakers this summer is $219.4 million over four years.

If Dončić's priority is to maximize his long-term earning potential, his best route would be to sign a two-plus-one extension that would allow him to become a free agent in the summer of 2028 when he could get a five-year, $418 million deal.

There has been no indication that Dončić doesn't want to stay with the Lakers. He pitched them on adding a rim-running center and defensive support before they signed Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, per The Athletic's Dan Woike.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday the Lakers' concerns about Dončić's commitment to them have "dissipated considerably" in recent weeks.

If Dončić were to play out his current contract, he would be able to hit free agency next summer by turning down his $49 million salary for 2026-27. Even though that remains a possibility until he officially signs a new deal, it doesn't appear he wants to go that route.

Dončić is preparing for his first full season with the Lakers after being acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in February. The five-time All-Star averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game in 28 starts with Los Angeles following the trade.

The Lakers made the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, but they lost in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.