Four days after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in early May, Luka Doncic and his business manager Lara Beth Seager met for dinner with Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick. Sources tell ESPN that Pelinka and Redick explained not only their strategy in building the Lakers around Doncic and his skill set, but also how they plan to navigate the complexities of the NBA’s new collective bargain agreement.
Pelinka made it a working dinner by discussing the second apron, the value of preserving cap space to acquire an age-appropriate co-star and even had a thick binder with him. Pelinka had previously brought that binder to meetings such as these with LeBron James. Now that the Lakers have acquired Doncic, they are building around their younger star instead of their older one.
Pelinka has frequently been in touch with Doncic and Seager since the Lakers acquired him in a stunning trade with the Dallas Mavericks.
“The Lakers leadership team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of Luka since we arrived in L.A.,” Seager told ESPN. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other over the last few months, and we’ve formed a strong working relationship. Championships are won when you work together. We all share that same goal.”
As the Lakers build out their roster this offseason, the biggest single issue
The Lakers are open to any contract extension structure Doncic prefers this offseason. Doncic can sign a four-year, $229 million extension with the Lakers. Alternatively, he could opt for a shorter three-year, $165 million deal with a player option for 28-29, positioning himself for a potential five-year, $418 million contract in 2028 when he reaches 10 years of service.
Doncic might also play out his current contract through 25-26 before choosing between a five-year, $296 million deal with the Lakers, or a four-year, $219 million contract elsewhere. Doncic’s current deal includes a player option worth $48.9 million for the 26-27 season.