The Lakers inked Luka Dončić to a three-year contract extension this offseason. It was a big moment. The trade for Dončić changed the landscape of the NBA in a fundamental manner but it was no guarantee the Slovenian superstar would agree to re-up with Los Angeles this summer instead of waiting for next summer to maximize his potential salary. The fact that he agreed to sign the extension this summer instead sets him up for an even larger extension down the road, but it also showed the franchise they can plan to have him around for a few more years at least.
It has resulted in a shift of strategy from the Lakers in terms of roster-building. Which makes sense given it eliminates any uncertainty. On Thursday, The Athletic's Lakers beat writer Dan Woike shed some light into what the shift looks like, exactly.
