The summer of 2028 is setting up to be quite interesting. If we are to believe there would be some interest in Luka Doncic returning home to Dallas, the Mavericks need to be prepared to not only bring him into the roster, but also have a contending roster around he and Cooper Flagg. What does that look like, and what would the Mavericks even have around to bring him in? This is the path to Project 2028.
The Mavericks end
To get to the future, first the Mavericks must sort out the now. This summer still must shake out,
but if we are to believe the various reports of who could potentially be available, many of the Mavericks’ largest salaries could be off the books by the time next summer rolls around. PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson all seem to be very available, and only Klay would be expiring next summer. Washington’s deal runs through 2030, while Gafford is on the books until 2029. I think it is very fair to assume at least two of them are gone by the time the 2027 trade deadline rolls around, and it’s not impossible to think all three could be moved.
If that were to be the case, the Mavericks would then have exactly two players on the books for the summer of 2028: Cooper Flagg, who would be in the final year of his rookie deal, and Morez Johnson Jr., who would be in year three of his rookie contract. Now, that could change if the Mavericks successfully bring Sergio de Larrea over from Valencia, as well as if they extend guys like Max Christie or Dereck Lively, who are extension eligible now. That also doesn’t address Kyrie Irving, who has a player option after the 2026-27 season. But, even with those guys being extended, the Mavericks would have ample room to work Doncic in with cap space.
The Lakers end
The Mavericks can be prepared all they want, but this only becomes a realistic path if the Lakers aren’t able to become bona fide contenders. But, this is where the recent history of the Lakers has to have an effect on how you view their immediate future. General Manager Rob Pelinka is lucky that LeBron James wanted to live in Los Angeles and that Nico Harrison existed, because every other move that the Lakers have made since he took over has been questionable at best.
The Lakers are pot committed to Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. If that works and Los Angeles contends, this is probably all for not. But, if it doesn’t, everything gets really interesting. Luka has a player option in the summer of 2028, which is the summer in which he will hit his ten years of service. That qualifies him for the super-duper extension money, which he will certainly look for. We can safely expect him to opt out. At that point, the Lakers will be paying Reaves, Kessler, Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili a combined $111 million in 2028-29. Is that a roster that sounds like it’s contending? That’s the point where opportunity could come knocking.
In 2028, why wouldn’t Dallas be the best option for Luka to accomplish that goal? A pairing of Doncic and Cooper Flagg, who has already shown that he is on the fast path to superstardom, offers a ton of promise. Beyond that, there are many opportunities to create flexibility with the vets who will soon be coming off the books. Come the summer of 2028, Dallas could be looking at a roster of Flagg, Morez Johnson Jr. and a ton of cap space. That’s enticing if you’re Doncic, as it means the roster could be tailored perfectly to what that group would need. Plus, beyond the basketball of it all, it would be the best damn homecoming that we’ve seen in the NBA, maybe beyond LeBron in 2014. That’s the path for Dallas to be the best spot for Luka Doncic once again.
