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Every indication Luka Doncic will sign super-max extension with Mavericks

Mavericks star Luka Doncic

DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 04: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball while warming up before taking on the LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference first round series at American Airlines Center on June 04, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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Derrick Rose was, naturally, eligible for the “Derrick Rose Rule” as soon as the NBA implemented it in 2011. The rule allows qualifying players to earn more money in their fifth season than they could’ve previously. Rose qualified by winning 2011 MVP, so his rookie-scale extension with the Bulls signed that offseason included the higher super-max salary.

But qualifying for the fifth-year super-max is difficult. Players must win MVP or make certain All-NBA teams or win Defensive Player of the Year in their first four seasons. It’s especially difficult to qualify before signing a rookie-scale extension, which players do after their third season. So, several players have signed a rookie-scale extension that specifies, if the player qualifies in his fourth season, he will receive the higher salary once his extension begins in his fifth season.

Since Rose, nobody has been eligible for the super-max when signing a rookie-scale extension.

That will change with Mavericks star Luka Doncic, assuming he makes an All-NBA team this season. If he does, he could – and seemingly will – sign a contract extension projected to be worth $201 million over five years (starting in 2022-23).

Marc Stein of The New York Times:

There’s clearly significant trust between Doncic and the Mavericks.

He can’t officially sign this extension until Aug. 6. The Olympic Qualifying Tournament runs June 29-July 4. If Slovenia gets past OQT host Lithuania (and Poland) (and Venezuela, Angola and Korea), the Tokyo Olympics run July 24-Aug. 8. Most players would fear injury and would sit until the extension becomes official.

But Doncic clearly knows Dallas will offer him the extension no matter what.

He was so brilliant in the playoffs and is just 22. Locking him in for the next five years (six if he doesn’t get a player option) is a bargain at any allowable price.

The Mavericks big challenge: Determining how to build around Doncic.