Get Smart! The Lakers magic operation satisfies Doncic s "wish list", and renewing Doncic is stable

The Lakers' gossip news is dazzling! Is Jenny selling the team? Should Zhan stay or not? Will Reeves sign? Looking for a starting center? All of these have to be lined up in the back. The most important document pressed on the Lakers' management desk this summer only has one person's name: Luca Doncic's contract extension. This matter is much more important than finding a center.

Since the shocking league deal this February brought Doncic from Dallas to Los Angeles, the Slovenian genius is destined to be the absolute core of the Lakers' current and future. On August 2, a key date - Doncic will be eligible to renew the contract with the Lakers in advance. Although the existing contract is 2027, the 2026-27 season is a player option worth $48.97 million. The Lakers must seize this opportunity and lock the future firmly in the Staples Center.

The savvy Lakers management and Doncic team are obviously in the big game. Doncic missed the super maximum salary this summer, but he has two attractive options: $223 million is directly put into the pocket for four years, or sign a more flexible three-year, $160 million contract (including player options).

Choose the latter means that Doncic can reach a 10-year NBA milestone in 2028, triggering the "specified veteran clause" and signing an unprecedented 5-year, $418 million super maximum salary! The total amount and significance of this contract are far beyond any other operations this summer.

Why are the Lakers so confident that they can keep this super giant? Senior Lakers reporters pointed out the key points. First, Doncic longed for a big stage in his bones, and there is no bigger spotlight in the NBA than the word "Lakeman", which is a battlefield tailor-made for him.

Secondly, Los Angeles' "celebrity effect" provides a certain protective color - here, where celebrities gather, Doncic can live more freely without having to be focused on the microscope at all times. This unique "Lakeman Ecology" perfectly fits Doncic's mentality of not wanting to make achievements but not overexpose it.

Doncic proved with his actions that he would stay in Los Angeles for a long time. This offseason, he is no longer a star who passively waits for reinforcement, but a "general manager assistant" who takes the initiative. He made a clear demand order to the management, protecting the basket center, outside firepower, and defensive vanguard.

So, the Lakers' movements were as fast as lightning, and they locked in the unexpectedly bought out No. 1 center DeAndre Aiton for $16.6 million in two years; they targeted Marcus Smart, the defensive champion who was about to be cut, and signed Jack Laravia to provide shooting support.

people familiar with the matter revealed that at the critical moment when Ayton and Smart entered the free market, Doncic personally participated in the recruitment and persuasion work. His attitude and commitment were an important bargaining factor for the Lakers to successfully "pick up bargains" these two powerful players.

The current total salary is only $909,000 away from the first tyrant line. In order to sign Smart with a $5.1 million biennium exception, management must be careful to break free of space by cutting out the insecure Milton (3 million) and partially guaranteed Jordan Goodwin (2.3 million, only guaranteed 25,000). Once completed, the Lakers' 14-man roster will be put together. Although Smart is 31 years old, his resume of 3 best defense teams + 1 DPOY trophy is not a false reputation. Last season, he was able to contribute 34.8% of his three-point shooting percentage. His strong outside leadership, switchover ability and defensive command talent are the "softile" urgently needed by the Lakers on the outside.

Plus Ayton's basket protection, Laravia's space attributes, the upward trade selection of Attutiero and the substitute center Hayes retained at a low price, the Lakers responded almost perfectly to all Doncic's requirements with limited salary space and operating methods. No wonder fans sighed, what else can Luca be dissatisfied with with such an operation?

When other teams are still struggling for the stars, the Lakers management has turned their attention to the further future. Locking in Doncic not only means that the Lakers' competitiveness will be guaranteed in the next few years, but also pave the way for that potential 5-year, 418 million super contract.

Give the super giant a maximum salary is a regular operation, but being able to make the super giant willingly stay and finally sign a historical contract is the true vision and courage. The renewal of Doncic is the only irreplaceable top priority for the Lakers this summer, and it is also the cornerstone of the revival of the Purple and Gold Dynasty. This is the sound of basketball. Thank you for your likes and attention