Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving dropped a glossy carousel of yacht‑deck shots, moments shared with family, and sunset smiles in his latest offseason photo album on Instagram. But the real fireworks came not from the on‑deck entertainment but from a reply posted by none other than his ex‑teammate and Slovenian sensation, Luka Dončić.
Luka Dončić Take a Jab at Kyrie Irving’s Yacht Post
When Irving’s carousel went live, it was captioned simply, “All, in due time. #A11even #ChiefHela,” Dončić wasted no time reminding the longtime sharpshooter of their past Dallas camaraderie, and perhaps issuing a hint of FOMO.
Underneath a series of shots of Irving leaning casually on the yacht’s railing, working on rehabilitating his left knee, and more, Dončić typed only seven words: “Thanks for the invite on the yacht.”
The exchange, which was part friendly ribbing, part “where was I?” FOMO, comes several months after the Slovenian star was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in early 2025.
While Irving has spent the summer recuperating from his March ACL tear, Dončić has been at the center of the free agency frenzy. Their brief social‑media tête‑à‑tête captured more buzz than most on‑court highlights, showing that basketball drama can thrive even off the hardwood.
Dončić’s Unfolding Contract Saga With the Lakers
Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers star plots the next chapter as he will be eligible on August 2 for a four‑year, $228.6 million extension with the Lakers. Had he not been traded at the 2025 deadline, league rules would have allowed him to sign a five‑year extension worth in excess of $345 million with the Mavericks.
ESPN Insider Brian Windhorst declared Dončić’s choice “the most important domino in this year’s free‑agency market,” noting that the deal’s cap hit could dictate L.A.’s ability to chase complementary stars or fill critical depth roles around LeBron James. Moreover, the Lakers have already dipped into the market by agreeing to sign Deandre Ayton to a two‑year pact alongside Jake LaRavia.
“I almost would argue the most important thing in the whole NBA this summer is Luka Doncic, whether he extends or not, because that frames so much of what the Lakers are going to do, and frankly, the whole league would do.”
– Brian Windhorst 👀
pic.twitter.com/bhdLXALloF— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 3, 2025
Despite the clear allure of locking in nearly $60 million per season, Dončić is not without alternatives. As revealed by Silver Screen and Roll, he could bypass this four‑year extension altogether by playing out the 2025‑26 campaign before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2026. That path would open the door to a staggering five‑year, $296 million deal, which only the Lakers could afford.
Conversely, Dončić could opt for a shorter three‑year, $165 million extension. This would have a player option in the third season. This structure would allow him to test the open market again in 2028, potentially securing an even larger contract (around $415 million) if the salary cap continues its projected double‑digit growth.
Whether or not a Lakers exec slides into Dončić’s DMs next, his friendly jab at his former teammate has intrigued fans online. As fans chuckle at the Instagram barbs, they’re also bracing for Dončić’s next signature splash.
