The 2026 offseason is a ways away, but that’ll never prevent speculation from occurring in the NBA realm.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has a career-altering contract decision to make this summer.
If the 6-foot-6 guard inks an extension with the franchise (four-year, $229 million, or three-year, $165 million), it’ll be safe to say he’ll compete with Los Angeles for the long haul.
If Doncic decides not to commit to the Lakers long-term, APHoops believes it could open up the door for the Los Angeles Clippers to steal him from the Lakers during the 2026 free agency period (potentially helping him bolster his title chances).
“The Los Angeles Clippers will now be able to match the Los Angeles Lakers’ best offer for Luka Doncic (next summer),” APHoops wrote on X/Twitter in response to a tweet stating the franchise has $50-60 million in 2026 cap space.
“I do expect Luka Dončić to sign the extension this August. Just wanted to point out that the Clippers do have the flexibility now to potentially steal one of the Lakers’ 3 best players through free agency next Summer: Doncic, LeBron James, or Austin Reaves.”
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Doncic struggled to get acclimated to JJ Redick’s system after the early February blockbuster trade involving the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz.
The 26-year-old netted 14, 16, and 14 points, respectively, in his first three outings with the franchise. However, Doncic exploded for 32 points against the Denver Nuggets in the following contest and never looked back.
In 28 regular-season games with Los Angeles, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists as a primary playmaker.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves dominating the Lakers in the opening round of the playoffs, the organization recognized that adjustments needed to be made in the offseason.
Selling the franchise to Mark Walter, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ flourishing 65-year-old owner, was step No. 1, as it reassured Doncic that the Lakers are committed to building a winning culture around him.
Signing Deandre Ayton was step No. 2, considering it provided the future Hall of Famer with an above-average 7-foot athlete who can catch lobs around the rim in the pick-and-roll.
Although the Clippers should still feel optimistic about their chances of landing Doncic next summer, thanks to their non-problematic financial situation, it’s challenging to envision the Ljubljana, Slovenia native declining an extension with the Lakers.
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