Entering the previous season, the Los Angeles Lakers faced significant uncertainty about their future, as they relied heavily on aging stars LeBron James, then 39, and Anthony Davis, 31, who had an ongoing injury history. The team lacked a dependable superstar to lead beyond the LeBron era, raising questions about their direction.
Everything changed in February when the Lakers unexpectedly traded for 26-year-old Luka Doncic, a five-time All-Star superstar. This trade dramatically altered the Lakers’ trajectory, positioning Doncic as the franchise’s cornerstone for years ahead.
Doncic’s Contract and Potential Competition in 2028
In early August, Luka Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million contract with the Lakers, including a player option for the 2027-28 season. While expectations are that Doncic will remain in Los Angeles, several rival teams are already preparing to pursue him when his deal expires.
According to Michael Pina of The Ringer, four strong title contenders could target Doncic with max contract offers in 2028: the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and the Dallas Mavericks, where Doncic previously played.
To that end, Pelinka can’t take Luka for granted, especially when you look around the league and see which teams—the Rockets, Heat, Clippers, [spasming cough fit] Mavericks, etc.—are positioned to offer him a max contract two summers from now.
—Michael Pina, NBA Insider
Challenges Facing the Lakers in Retaining Doncic
While the Rockets, Clippers, and Heat present realistic options for Doncic, the Mavericks’ chances of courting him again seem slim, particularly if their current general manager Nico Harrison remains in charge. For the Lakers to keep Doncic, they must demonstrate a clear path to championships by assembling a strong supporting roster.
Building a winning team around Doncic is critical; failure to do so could drive him to consider offers from competing franchises. Yet, Doncic currently appears content in Los Angeles, showing faith in Lakers executives including General Manager Rob Pelinka, owner Mark Walter, and Jeanie Buss to construct a championship-caliber team.
Doncic’s Role as the Lakers’ Future Foundation
Luka Doncic has already proven his ability to shoulder significant responsibility on the court, and his importance to the Lakers will only increase over time. The organization sees him as a pivotal player capable of leading them to multiple titles in the years to come, reaffirming their commitment to building a competitive squad around him.