Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is set to be eligible for a supermax contract extension worth in excess of $200 million this offseason. After the Mavs' seven-game series loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, Doncic was asked about signing said extension.
Doncic gave a sly answer:
Luka Doncic smiles widely when asked if he plans to sign a supermax extension this summer: “I think you know the answer.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 7, 2021
Of course Luka Doncic is going to sign that supermax extension, which would make him the first NBA player to sign a rookie extension worth over $200 million. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the current projection on the five-year deal is about $201.5 million. The Slovenian sensation will be eligible for that deal because he made All-NBA in 2019-20 and will make it again in 2020-21, barring absolutely insane and wrong voting.
The 22-year-old averaged 27.7 points, 8.6 assists and 8.0 rebounds in the regular season, leading the Mavs to a 42-30 record and the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Against the Clippers in the first round, Doncic put up a staggering 35.7 points, 10.3 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game.
It wasn't enough, though, as Dallas squandered 2-0 and 3-2 series leads. While Doncic was terrific overall, he often wore down in the fourth quarter in part due to his heavy workload, and he didn't get enough help from his teammates.
Luka Doncic is the future of the franchise in Dallas, but questions remain regarding how the front office will build the roster around him in order for them to become championship contenders. Kristaps Porzingis has regressed after all his injury issues and is frustrated with his role, and it seems clear Doncic needs another offensive creator who can take pressure off him.
Doncic also needs to work on his conditioning so he's not wearing down as much in fourth quarters, regardless of who else is on his team. It's scary to think that he can be even better.
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