Report: Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks agree to five-year supermax rookie extension

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Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic is set to stay with the Dallas Mavericks till 2027. 

According to reports by Dallas Morning News' Brad Townsend and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Slovenian sensation has agreed to a five-year rookie supermax extension with the Dallas Mavericks. 

Why the press conference in Slovenia?

Well, Doncic is fresh off, but surely recovering from, leading the Slovenian national team on a Cinderella run in the Tokyo Olympics, which saw them finish fourth after losing to Australia in the Bronze medal game in what was the team's first-ever appearance at the Olympics.

So, the Mavericks brass including the team's special advisor and NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks governer Mark Cuban, head coach Jason Kidd, GM Nico Harrison, and assistant GM Michael Finley flew across the pond to the nation's capital in Ljubljana to present Doncic with the contract and have him sign on the dotted line.

The five-year, $207 million extension, which kicks in at the end of the 2021-22 season, reportedly includes a player option for the final year. The 22-year-old was eligible for the supermax extension, the first player from the 2018 Draft class, courtesy of his two All-NBA First Team selections in the previous two years.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, only four players have been named to multiple All-NBA First Team before their 23rd birthday and, the duo of Doncic and Kevin Durant are the only two players to do so since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976.

"Today is a dream come true," Doncic told ESPN in a statement. "The game of basketball has given me so much and has taken me to so many amazing places. I am humbled and excited to remain in Dallas as part of the Mavericks.

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The two All-NBA First Team selections are far from the only recognition Doncic has received in his three years in the NBA. He was also named the 2019 Rookie of the Year and received two All-Star selections. 

In 2020-21, Doncic averaged 27.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game while shooting 47.9 percent overall and 35 percent on 3-pointers.

That justifies his name to be alongside the shortlist of elite NBA players that are currently on contracts upwards of $200 million.

However, those aren't the only accolades he has received in his professional career. Prior to joining the NBA, Doncic was named the EuroLeague's MVP - the youngest ever - when he led Real Madrid to the 2017-18 EuroLeague championship. 

In 2017, he was named to the All-Tournament Team during EuroBasket 2017, when Slovenia led by Doncic and Goran Dragic won their first-ever major international FIBA competition.

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