After completing his buyout with EuroLeague team Real Madrid, number 3 overall pick Luka Doncic finally signed his rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
The Mavericks made the signing official by announcing that the 19-year-old Doncic signed his rookie-scale contract that will pay him up to $32.6 million. He will earn $5.5 million next season and $6.4 million in his second season with the Mavericks.
Doncic Excited To Play For Mavericks
"It's been a long time," Doncic said after signing his deal with the Mavericks. "I'm so excited. I know I can just play, so that's what I want to do, just play."
It took some time for the 6-foot-7 Doncic to sign his contract with the Mavericks, as he had to arrange his buyout and release papers from Real Madrid. Doncic signed with Real Madrid when he was 13 years old and played for them at 16. Doncic carried the team to a EuroLeague title last season where he won the League MVP and the Final Four MVP.
The Atlanta Hawks selected Doncic with the third overall pick before shipping him to the Mavericks for Trae Young, whom Dallas selected at number 5. The Hawks also traded a protected 2019 first-round pick to the Mavericks for Young.
Will Doncic See Action In Summer League?
Earlier, the Mavericks said they are hopeful that Doncic will play in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas once he signs a deal with the squad. However, coach Rick Carlisle said Doncic still needs to get some live practice time before determining if he can play in one or two Summer League games.
"At this point it's challenging because we're into a high volume of games, we've been going every day, and so it's going to have to be a day off at some point here," Carlisle says.
According to Carlisle, Doncic is doing everything he can to get himself ready, as he is anxious to see some court time with his teammates. However, Carlisle said the Mavericks are taking the wait-and-see approach with their prized rookie.
"Hey look, there's still a chance he can play a game or two," said Carlisle.
In case Doncic suits up in the Summer League, he will play without his backcourt partner Dennis Smith Jr., who will not appear in any games this summer. The first time Mavericks fans will see Doncic and Smith together will be in October, when they open preseason play in China.
According to forward Harrison Barnes, Doncic and Smith will compliment together in the backcourt.
"They have the ability to play off each other and they're attacking guards. Especially with (center) DeAndre (Jordan) there as a rim roller, I think it'll help our offense," said Barnes.
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