By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A complicated offseason for Luka Doncic, especially in terms of a potential contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The native of Ljubljana will be eligible to sign a new deal on August 2, but is expected to delay his decision until after the EuroBasket 2025, as projected by Brian Windhorst on ESPN. His current contract is guaranteed until the end of the 2025-26 season with nearly $46 million and has a player option worth almost $49 million for the 2026-27 season.
Doncic, 26, can ink a four-year contract extension worth $229 million, with another option in settling for more flexibility in his future behind a three-year deal and $165 million. Unlike his previous contract with the Dallas Mavericks and due to his blockbuster trade midway through the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, he is now ineligible to pen a supermax extension.
Despite key decisions on his NBA future and widely considered likely to commit his future to the Lakers, the senior national team of Slovenia, getting ready to compete in the upcoming EuroBasket, is the point of focus for Doncic. Confirming projections, he was named to the preliminary squad of the team coached by Aleksander Sekulic. Donnie Nelson and Greg St. Jean are also on board.
In pool play, Slovenia will take on Poland, France, Belgium, Iceland, and Israel in Katowice, from August 28 and September 4. Similar to the remaining three groups, the top four seeds of Group D will advance to the knockout stage, to take place in Riga between September 6 and 14.