Sat Aug 2 12:55pm ET
Field Level Media
Five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN reported on Saturday.
The Lakers announced the extension but did not divulge terms of the deal, which comes six months to the day after Doncic was acquired by the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks.
Per ESPN, the contract extension includes a player option for the 2028-29 season. It also keeps Doncic out of free agency next summer and nixes his 2026-27 player option in place of the new contract.
"Today is a monumental moment for our franchise. Luka Doncic's future is with the Los Angeles Lakers," said Rob Pelinka, the Lakers president of basketball operations.
"Luka is one of the game's most transcendent players, and his on-court dominance and passion is without compare. From the moment Luka became a Laker, there was an immediate connection and admiration between Luka and our fanbase. You can feel it in your spirit when you attend a Lakers game. Luka is an absolute killer on the court, and blends that with a unique generosity and care for the community. Above all else, Luka will lead our franchise to pursue future championships, a goal that will forever define the Lakers."
Doncic, 26, averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 28 games (all starts) since he was acquired by the Lakers in a three-team deal on Feb. 2.
The Lakers also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, and the Mavericks picked up Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The Utah Jazz, who helped to facilitate the trade, received Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round draft pick via the Los Angeles Clippers from the Lakers. Dallas also sent a 2025 second-round selection to Utah.
"I'm really grateful to the Lakers organization, my teammates and the fans for welcoming me and my family with so much support and kindness since day one," Doncic said. "This is an amazing organization, and I truly believe in what we're building together. I'm going to keep working as hard as I can to bring another championship to Los Angeles and to make Laker Nation proud. This is just the beginning. I'm excited for what's ahead and to keep building something special with this team."
A five-time All-Star selection, Doncic is averaging 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 450 career games (all starts) with the Mavericks and Lakers.
The Portland Trail Blazers guaranteed the $2.22 million salary of forward/center Duop Reath on Friday. The 29-year-old averaged 9.1 points and 3.7 rebounds as a rookie in 2023. However, it was a different story in 2024, with Reath amassing 4.2 points and 2.0 boards in 46 regular-season contests. He can play both the four and five spots. Still, the Blazers have depth at both positions, meaning Reath could have trouble finding consistent playing time throughout the 2025 campaign, giving him little-to-no value in any fantasy format. On the other hand, his stock might rise if there is an injury, which could open the door for streaming opportunities for fantasy managers.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic agreed to a three-year, $165 million extension with the team. The 2018 No. 3 overall pick spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks before being traded to the Lakers ahead of last season's deadline. He played as well as expected in 28 regular-season contests in Los Angeles, although he turned up the volume during the postseason by averaging 30.2 points. The Lakers appear to be heading in a new direction, with LeBron James potentially entering his final year with the franchise. However, the organization will presumably look to keep Doncic on the roster well beyond his most recent extension, assuming he remains productive. The 26-year-old has reportedly revamped his diet while changing his approach to his offseason conditioning. If he can stay healthy, he should have an excellent chance of winning the first MVP award of his career. Doncic is also arguably the No. 1 overall fantasy option in any format, even though his three-point percentage and tendency to turn the ball over will lower his value somewhat for dynasty managers.
Free-agent guard Jaden Springer agreed to an Exhibit-9 deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 2021 No. 28 overall pick has bounced around the league since being drafted, making stops in Philadelphia and Boston before signing with the Jazz in February 2025. He didn't do much in Utah, averaging only 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 17 contests. Springer has a chance for a fresh start in New Orleans. However, he'll need to make a positive impression in training camp if he hopes to make the team. With that in mind, Springer has a long way to go before earning a spot on any fantasy roster even if he suits up for the Pels on opening night, considering he'll likely be sitting at the end of the bench.
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie had his $3 million salary fully guaranteed for the 2025 campaign. The 24-year-old appeared in all 82 regular-season games in 2024, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. While he wasn't a consistent producer, he stepped up when needed, amassing 13.2 points and 5.1 boards in 29 starts. Champagnie will presumably have a difficult time finding routine minutes this season. However, he could be one of the first people tasked with a bigger role if there are injuries, which would give him some streaming value during the year. Still, until that situation arises, Champagnie isn't worth rostering in most fantasy formats.
New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges signed a long-term extension with the organization on Thursday. According to Shams Charania, Bridges agreed to a four-year, $150 million extension, which includes a player option for the final year. His first season in New York was a success, so the Knicks wanted to lock up Bridges long term. Last season, Bridges averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 37.0 minutes per game in 82 games. He was an important piece to the Knicks success this past season. Bridges figures to remain a core piece to this roster for the foreseeable future. Fantasy managers should expect Bridges to be a viable middle-round value option in standard leagues.
Power forward Malevy Leons has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder to link up with the NBA champions for training camp. After going undrafted, Leons made six appearances with the Thunder last season. The Dutch forward logged a total of 20 minutes. However, he found success in the G League, averaging 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds. Leons also played well in the Summer League with the Thunder, notching 10.0 points and 4.9 rebounds across eight appearances.
Guard/forward Daeqwon Plowden has signed a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings. The 26-year-old was a free agent after being waived by the Phoenix Suns earlier this month. Plowden appeared in his first six NBA games with the Atlanta Hawks last season, averaging 7.2 points in 12.0 minutes, with an impressive 52.9 percent shooting from three-point range. He's been a reliable scorer in the G League and was part of the Kings' Summer League team. Plowden's averages of 7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in Vegas were apparently enough to earn a two-way deal with the Kings.
Sacramento Kings forward/center Dario Saric is looking forward to a fresh start and hopes to become a regular rotation player again in 2025-26. "I went to Sacramento, passed medicals, talked to the coach and general manager," Saric told reporters after practice with the Croatian team ahead of the Pre-Qualifiers of the FIBA World Cup 2027. "I received positive feedback. I hope to get minutes at the four and five positions. But you never know for sure. I thought I was going to play in Denver too, but I ended up sitting on the bench." Last season, Saric made only 16 appearances for the Nuggets, averaging 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.1 minutes. With career averages of 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, Saric has proven that he can be a useful piece for fantasy managers. But he needs to have a consistent role on a team to make an impact.
Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo will not be part of Team Italy at the EuroBasket 2025 after sustaining an injury. "I just wanted to say how happy, thankful, and excited I am to finally become an Italian citizen. I want to thank the Federation and Italian institutions for making all this happen in record time. Unfortunately, I'm sorry I will not be able to join the national team this summer due to a physical issue," DiVincenzo said in a statement. DiVincenzo's injury will reportedly take "several weeks" to heal, meaning it could also affect his status for the start of the new NBA season. During his first year in Minneapolis, DiVincenzo posted 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu is expected to remain with the team for the start of the 2025-26 campaign. He has been linked with a move elsewhere, but Bulls insider K.C. Johnson has reported that "all signs for now point to Ayo Dosunmu returning" to the Bulls. According to Johnson, the Bulls had trade talks regarding Dosunmu earlier this offseason with a Western Conference playoff team. Dosunmu has spent his entire four-year NBA career with his hometown Bulls. He had a career year in 2024-25, averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, although health issues limited Dosunmu to 46 appearances. Dosunmu is entering the last year of his contract, which should motivate him to perform well in 2025-26.
Shooting guard Bryce McGowens has agreed to a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 22-year-old joins his third NBA team, after previously spending time with the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers. Last season, McGowens averaged just 2.5 minutes per game over 13 contests with the Trail Blazers. However, he played extremely well for the Rip City Remix in the G League, notching 29.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals. McGowens seems to be too good for the G League but isn't quite ready to contribute regularly in the NBA.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, restricted free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga has declined the most recent contract offers from the Golden State Warriors. The latest proposal was a two-year, $45 million contract. However, the 22-year-old would like a longer deal in addition to retaining a "built-in no-trade clause." Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, suggested a three-year, $82 million contract, enabling the Dubs to stay below the second apron. There were also sign-and-trade opportunities with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, although Golden State wasn't receptive toward the return from either team. Kuminga finished the 2024 campaign by averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Unfortunately, he was limited to 47 regular-season games, mostly due to a sprained ankle, while shooting a career-low 45.4% from the field and 30.5% from behind the arc. There's a chance the 2021 No. 7 overall pick might be playing on his one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer in 2025, making him an unrestricted free-agent next summer. With that in mind, Kuminga's fantasy value won't be as high in Golden State, considering he likely won't hold a routine role in Steve Kerr's rotation. Of course, there should be more twists and turns to this scenario heading into opening night.
According to Eurohoops.net, free agent forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo has been added to the Greek national team training camp roster to prepare for the EuroBasket 2025 tournament beginning at the end of August. Antetokounmpo didn't play professionally in 2024-25 after undergoing surgery in May 2024 to repair a torn Achilles tendon. The 33-year-old played five of his six NBA seasons in Milwaukee, winning an NBA championship in 2021 alongside his younger brother Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the older Antetokounmpo remains healthy, he will likely finish his professional playing career overseas.
According to Law Murray of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Clippers waived forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. on Monday. Baldwin joined the Clippers after agreeing to a two-way contract in March. However, he was released to open a roster spot for Jordan Miller, who signed a two-way deal with the Clippers on Saturday. Baldwin played in 22 games with the Wizards and just two in Los Angeles after he was claimed off waivers near the end of the 2024-25 campaign. He saw limited playing time in the NBA last year, but the 22-year-old had a solid season in the G League, averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 three-pointers, 2.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.0 steals during 32.0 minutes per game in over 23 appearances.
Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports that Charlotte Hornets guard/forwardJosh Green(shoulder) may not be ready for the start of training camp. Green is still recovering from shoulder surgery last month to address instability in his left shoulder. According to Boone, there is "no definitive work on his recovery timetable," likely meaning that the 24-year-old could be missing in action once the upcoming regular season begins. During his first campaign in Charlotte, he finished with averages of 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest across 68 games. Once Green is available, he may be less involved in the Hornets' offence than in 2024-25, especially if LaMelo Ball(ankle) andBrandon Miller(wrist) can remain healthy.
Center Thomas Bryant looks ready to pause his NBA career. Reports in Europe indicate that Bryant is in advanced negotiations with Panathinaikos, the reigning EuroLeague champions. The Greek powerhouse was previously linked with Jonas Valanciunas this offseason. However, the Lithuanian has now committed himself to the Denver Nuggets, and Panathinaikos has gone after another NBA big man. Bryant, who won the NBA championship with the Nuggets in 2023, split the 2024-25 season between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers. The eight-year veteran averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 14.6 minutes.
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis appears to be back to full health following his bout with a mystery illness late last season. While speaking to the media in his native Latvia ahead of the 2025 EuroBasket, Porzingis addressed several topics, including his health status. "I feel fantastic, to be honest. I took time to rest after the season," Porzingis said. "In June, I completely rested with lower intensity, and all of that has gone away. I haven't felt any of that playoff fatigue anymore. I feel great and ready to join the national team." Health issues are always a concern with Porzingis, but he's a player who can help out fantasy managers in several categories. His role in Atlanta will probably be more significant than it was in Boston, which will boost Porzingis' fantasy value.
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul may stick around in the NBA for a few more years. Paul, who turned 40 in May, told ESPN's Malika Andrews that he wants to "enjoy" the upcoming campaign and doesn't know if it will be his final season in the National Basketball Association. At the same time, Paul definitely won't have the same impact he had on the Clippers during his first stint. He isn't guaranteed to receive regular playing time in his 21st year in the league, which will really hurt Paul's fantasy value. But it's going to be exciting to see the legendary guard still in action, perhaps even beyond the 2025-26 season.
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (wrist) is on track to be fully healthy for the start of the 2025-26 campaign. In January, Miller underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist. "It's probably around 90-95% now," Miller told Diamond Vences of the Charlotte Observer. "I started contact (drills). I'll be ready the first day the season starts and I'm just excited to get back out on the court with my guys." His wrist injury limited Miller to only 27 outings during his sophomore career. He averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. Next season, Miller should be eager to make up for lost time and ready for another step in his development.
According to Michael Scotto of USA Today, the Toronto Raptors waived center Colin Castleton on Monday. Castleton posted averages of 7.2 points and 6.9 rebounds in 26 minutes across 11 contests in 2024-25. With the 25-year-old out of the picture, there will be available frontcourt minutes for players like Jonathan MogboandSandro Mamukelashvili to compete for. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles,selected by the Raptors No. 9 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft last month, will also be in line to see more playing opportunities with Castleton no longer on the team's roster.
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