NBA: Doncic, Kumina and summer stories pending definition
While NBA’s low season action decreases, there are still key decisions on free agents and contract extensions to resolve.
He NBA DRAFT 2025 It was carried out more than a month ago, and Some of the most important movements have already occurred of summer.
From the selections of Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper at the top of the draft by the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively, to the changes of the team of superstar players as Kevin Durant, Desmond Bane, Kristaps porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Myles Turner Through transfers and free agency, it has been a few weeks full of events throughout the association.
But that does not mean that everything is determined. So, with that in mind, here We present some of the most important decisions on restricted extensions and free agencies From the low season 2025, starting with a superstar candidate to an extension on the most important stage of the League:
Will Luka Doncic sign an extension in August?
It could be said that The most important news that looms on the League is the imminent date of August 2, when Doncic, who arrived in Los Angeles six months ago in one of the most shocking changes in the NBA history, can sign an extension to continue being a Lakers player after next summer.
Yeah Doncic He decides not to extend, he could become a free agent without restrictions next July, which would immediately make him the most shocking player to reach the market from Kawhi Leonard in 2019. The LakersNaturally, they would not want that situation to be repeated when Leonard left the Toronto Raptors – recently won the MVP of the finals and leading Toronto to his only NBA championship – to join the clippers.
How could the situation of Doncic? If you decide to sign an extension, it will be eligible for a four -year contract for $ 222 million that would link it to the Lakers Until the end of the decade.
But the best financial option for Doncic It would be to sign a short-term contract, probably an extension of three years for $ 160 million with a player option for the 2028-29 season. By signing for two more years, Doncic It could sign a contract in 2028 for 35% of the salary limit, a contract that, at that time, could be five years for $ 369 million.
And for any fan of the Lakers that you are concerned about the investment level of Doncic In Los Angeles, just take a look at what he said Marcus Smart about how he ended up signing with the franchise.
“When a guy like Luka calls you … to see how you are, to see if you want to join something special that is plotting here,” said Smart this week. “I told me that I really need my help, it meant a lot.”
What the future holds the restricted free agents who have not yet signed?
There is a reason why 25 players signed contract extensions as rookies in the last two years, including 11 in 2024: restricted free agency is not a viable option.
That is why Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes, Jonathan Kumina and Cam Thomas They are still waiting.
The four players have been affected by the lack of salary space in the league. No team (except Brooklyn Netsthe exequipo of Thomas) It has more than $ 14.1 million of the medium level exception without taxes to spend. This has left this quartet of restricted free agents with a dilemma: reach an agreement on your next contract or continue waiting.
The options of Kuminga They are limited by the lack of total investment and the reality that Golden State Warriors They could be limited in the salary limit if signing and transferred to Kuminga. The Warriors are currently $ 25 million below the minimum wage and have chosen to look from the free agency to solve until the problem of Kuminga. They currently have six vacancies on the template.
Grimes It is in a similar situation. The best available escort still has no team, largely due to the financial situation of the Philadelphia 76ers. Although this preseason has made minimum signings (Trendon Watford, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry and Justin Edwards), Philadelphia has postponed the use of the fiscal exception of $ 5.7 million for medium -level players due to concerns about the second APON. If Philadelphia used the exception, it would make sure to be at the second level. The team is $ 19.5 million below without grimes.
If an agreement is not reached, the alternative is to sign the qualified offer of one year. Giddey ($ 11.1 million), Grimes ($ 8.5 million), Kumina ($ 8 million) and Thomas ($ 6 million) have until October 1 to sign their contracts. If they do not, the contract ceases to be valid (unless it extends) and each player remains as a restricted free agent.
Signing the qualified offer is a double -edged sword. While they would be free agents without restrictions in the low season of 2026, each player loses the Bird rights if he approves a transfer to a new team during the season (the last time a player signed the qualified offer was Thousands bridges in 2023).
