In the wake of the Mavericks‘ disastrous finish to the 2022/23 season, there was plenty of speculation a year ago about Luka Doncic‘s future in Dallas, with some media members suggesting the team would have to make real strides within the next year or two in order to secure the star guard’s long-term commitment.
Following an NBA Finals run this spring, that no longer looks like an issue, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, who says all signs are that Doncic will be willing to sign a super-max extension in July 2025 once he has the minimum seven years of NBA service. The 25-year-old said after Monday’s season-ending loss that he felt “great” about the Mavs’ future.
“We did some great (personnel) moves,” Doncic said. “I would say we’ve been together for five months. I’m proud of every guy that stepped on the floor, all the coaches, all the guys behind (the scenes). Obviously, we didn’t win Finals, but we did have a hell of a season.”
Doncic’s enthusiasm about the franchise’s destiny is shared by his backcourt teammate Kyrie Irving, who is under contract in Dallas for at least the next two seasons.
“I just feel like the sky’s the limit,” Irving added, via MacMahon. “I have an opportunity to be on a special team that can be one of the teams that dominates in this era. That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out the past few years, of how to be on a great team, be in an organization where I’m trusted, and also we’re able to win and fail together, and doing it in a way where we still have each other’s backs, and no one is giving up on the dream or the objective. Our goal is still to win a championship.”
