The Dallas Mavericks should have plenty more chances to make a deep playoff run with Luka Doncic on the roster. One day after the team lost Game 7 of its first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas’ superstar indicated that he expects to stay with the team for the foreseeable future.

The Mavericks can offer Doncic a five-year extension worth approximately $201.5 million this summer. The deal would start in the 2022-23 season with a salary just below $35 million.

“I think you know the answer,” Doncic said when asked if he plans to sign an extension with Dallas this summer.

There’s little doubt that Dallas will make such an offer to Doncic, who made history with his performances in the playoffs. The 22-year-old Slovenian scored 46 points in the Game 7 defeat. Doncic was stellar in the first round, averaging 35.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 10.3 rebounds per game against the Clippers.

Doncic is under contract for a $10.174 million salary in the 2021-22 season. The back-to-back All-Star can sign an extension this summer, become a restricted free agent next year or sign a one-year qualifying offer that allows him to be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023.

Doncic is expected to take Dallas’ offer, which is worth significantly more than what any other team could pay him in free agency. The Mavericks will be allowed to make Doncic a supermax offer because he was a 2020 All-NBA First-team selection and will undoubtedly make a 2021 All-NBA team.

Through his first three NBA seasons, Doncic has made $21.8 million in salary.

In each of the last two seasons, the Mavericks have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Clippers. Dallas traded for Kristaps Porzingis in 2019, hoping he could become the team’s second All-Star, but the former New York Knick hasn’t reached expectations. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas’ second-leading scorer in the playoffs, is unsigned for next year.

Doncic was the 2021 preseason MVP favorite and could hold that title again next year.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic passes the ball against Brandon Clarke, 15, and Justise Winslow ,7, of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at American Airlines Center
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic passes the ball against Brandon Clarke, 15, and Justise Winslow ,7, of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at American Airlines Center GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / TOM PENNINGTON
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