Luka Doncic went on NBC’s Right this moment present Thursday and performed dumb. Host Craig Melvin requested, “Large resolution on Saturday… whether or not you signal that contract extension. Any message for followers?”
“I don’t know what you’re speaking about,” Doncic responded with a smile. “I can’t talk about something but.”
Saturday, Aug. 2, six months from the day they traded for him in a deal that shook the league, the Lakers can supply a contract extension to Doncic. Los Angeles’ supply can not come near the five-year, $346 million supermax contract (35% of the wage cap) that Dallas may have provided, however Nico Harrison and Dallas possession balked at paying that quantity (due to doubts about Doncic’s conditioning, which seem to have motivated Doncic). The max the Lakers can supply is 30% of the wage cap below the phrases of the CBA.
Doncic goes to signal the contract. The Lakers have clearly began to construct round him as the long run (leaving LeBron James in a spot he has not been in earlier than in his profession). Doncic has seen what L.A. is doing, and never solely has he spoken extremely of the Lakers group for the reason that commerce, but additionally this summer season he helped recruit Deandre Ayton and Marcus Good to hitch him.
The one query is the type of the extension he indicators. There are just a few choices.
4-year max
The Lakers’ greatest supply is 4 years, $224.9 million and Lakers common supervisor Rob Pelinka will put that on the desk Saturday. (Notice: That quantity is decrease than the $229 million typically reported because the max as a result of the NBA wage cap is projected to rise simply 7% subsequent season and never the beforehand projected 10%, decreasing the full.)
This new deal contains the $49.9 million Doncic is assured to make subsequent season (that’s locked in it doesn’t matter what he chooses), then he would decide out of the ultimate 12 months of his present contract and signal a four-year extension, which possible can be structured as three assured seasons plus a participant choice. There have been some experiences out of Europe that Doncic has agreed to this four-year max contract. Whereas it’s doable, that appears unlikely, until there are participant choices after two years.
Three-year max
That is extra possible the deal Doncic indicators: three years, $160.8 million (two years plus a participant choice within the ultimate 12 months, and that is decrease than the beforehand reported $165 million due to the smaller anticipated rise within the wage cap).
The rationale to signal for the three years is cash — after taking part in three extra seasons, Doncic can have reached 10 years of service within the league, at which level he’s eligible for 35% of the wage cap (up from the 30% L.A. can supply now). With the three-year deal, when that ends he can signal a five-year max contract with the Lakers or a four-year one with one other group, relying on how he feels about his state of affairs on the time. That is the choice that will get him essentially the most cash and suppleness.
There are different choices. In concept, Doncic may signal a two-year deal (one assured plus a participant choice) to maintain some leverage over the Lakers, however the extra possible choice is to lock in max cash till he will get to 10 years of service, then go from there.
A technique or one other, Doncic will signal with the Lakers. He’s at present in the US on a Jordan Model shoe tour and is predicted to signal the deal this weekend. By Aug. 4 he’s anticipated to be in Slovenia, getting ready for the EuroBasket together with his nationwide group. If he doesn’t signal the deal earlier than heading again to Europe, it possible is into September earlier than the deal is formally inked. However will probably be.
