Luka Doncic becomes extension-eligible on August 2 and is expected to stay long-term, with the Lakers open to any deal he prefers. LeBron James could return or retire, but if he stays, he’s unlikely to take another pay cut.
The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 4-1 series defeat, despite entering the matchup as favorites among both oddsmakers and experts.
With that disappointing exit, the LA Lakers’ front office now turns its focus to the future.
General manager Rob Pelinka faces a critical offseason, needing to address issues with roster depth and frontcourt size while also securing the team’s core duo: Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
A recent report by Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic revealed new details about the status and outlook for both Lakers superstars.
Doncic holds a $48.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season and becomes extension-eligible on August 2.
While some might view his next move as a formality, The Athletic reports that Luka is widely expected to commit to a long-term future with the Lakers, though nothing is finalized yet.
League and team sources told The Athletic that the partnership between Doncic and the Lakers has been very positive.
The organization has made it clear that it wants Luka to be the face of the franchise moving forward. However, it’s still unclear how the five-time All-Star will approach his contract options.
Doncic has multiple pathways available:
Starting August 2, he could sign a four-year, $229 million extension.
He could opt for a three-year, $165 million extension with a player option in 2028–29 to regain financial ground lost after forfeiting supermax eligibility in the trade.
That would align with his 10th year in the league, making him eligible for a five-year, $418 million contract in the 2028 offseason.
Alternatively, Doncic could play out his current contract, opt out in 2026, and re-sign with the Lakers for five years, $296 million, or join another team for four years, $219 million.
According to The Athletic, the LA Lakers are expected to support whatever contract structure Luka prefers.
LeBron James
The simplest path forward for LeBron James would be to pick up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season ahead of the June 29 deadline and then retire when he’s ready.
But if James chooses to keep playing and seeks a new extension, The Athletic reports that the Lakers will first want to know if he’s still fully committed to staying in Los Angeles.
Concerns about the roster—especially highlighted in the Game 5 loss to Minnesota—are said to mirror frustrations James has expressed in the past.
According to The Athletic, both sources close to James and within the organization would not rule out a potential departure, even before the team’s early playoff exit.
If LeBron returns, league sources told The Athletic that he’s unlikely to accept the pay cut he considered last summer. James gave up around $2.7 million at that time to help the Lakers stay under the second tax apron and maintain roster flexibility.
He even weighed a steeper discount to help the Lakers pursue a major free agent.
Among his reported targets were James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson, and Jonas Valanciunas. Ultimately, the Lakers didn’t land any of them, and James signed closer to his maximum salary.
