With a star-studded lineup and late-season momentum on their side, the Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2024-25 postseason with a deep playoff run in mind.
However, despite players like Luka Dončić averaging an impressive 30.2 points and seven rebounds per game in the first round, the Lakers fell short, losing 1-4 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now weeks after their early playoff exit, the NBA rumor mill is buzzing again, and this time with major news about Dončić’s future with the team.
NBA Analyst Believes Luka Dončić Is With the Lakers for the Long Term
On a recent episode of the “Buha’s Block” podcast, hosted by Jovan Buha, NBA analyst Iztok Franko of the “Digginbasketball” Substack provided a massive update regarding Dončić’s future with the Lakers.
Franko hinted that the Slovenian superstar might be laying roots in Los Angeles for the long haul, and it’s not just about basketball.
According to Franko, Dončić has already formed a strong bond with LeBron James and the Lakers organization. He noted that Dončić has a knack for quickly developing on-court chemistry, referencing his brief but memorable 42-game run alongside Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
“A lot of times, a lot is talked about his loyalty. Also, I think he is a guy who loves camaraderie and familiarity. So that’s very similar now with the Lakers. I think he loves playing with LeBron. I think he’s cherishing like he did with Dirk last season. He played the first season when Dirk was basically in his last season. So I think he will sign. It will be interesting to see what kind of extension he signs,” said Franko during the podcast.
This update comes amid swirling rumors in the NBA community that Dončić might consider a contract extension with the Lakers, which is a scenario that has fans and analysts alike watching closely.
Initially, Dončić was eligible to sign a massive five-year, $345.3 million supermax extension with the Dallas Mavericks. However, since his midseason trade to the Lakers, that deal is now off the table.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently explained, the new financial landscape for Dončić is far different. If he chooses to extend his stay in Los Angeles, he could instead sign a three-year deal worth around $165 million.
“There are multiple variations of a new extension for Doncic. A four-year, $229 million max, where the $51 million first-year salary for 2026-27 replaces the player option for that season. And, more likely: a three-year, $165 million extension that includes a player option in the third year,” wrote Marks in his article.
Statistically, Dončić has already made a strong case for staying. In his 28 regular-season games with the Lakers, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists. More importantly, his chemistry with James has turned into one of the league’s most dangerous duos.
“It’s great, I’ve never played with a guy like this. Being traded to L.A., it was different, but to be able to play with guys like him, it’s unbelievable. I can learn so much stuff, first of all off the court, all the things he does to be ready for the game. And obviously on the court, everybody knows what kind of player he is,” said Dončić during an episode of James’s “Mind the Game” podcast.
Looking ahead to next season, Dončić could be a cornerstone for the Lakers’ squad, as they aim to rebound from their disappointing postseason. If he and James continue to dominate together, a title run may not just be a dream, but it could be a reality.
