Ken Holland says the Kings and Drew Doughty likely won't agree to an extension this summer, with both sides content to revisit it after next season.
The framing is calm. Via Zach Dooley, Holland said both the team and Doughty want him to finish his career in Los Angeles, but they're more likely to assess it after 2026-27.
So read it for what it is. This isn't friction, it's timing. The intent to stay is mutual. The commitment simply waits.
Look at the player. Doughty is 36, on an $11M cap hit, a franchise cornerstone, but at an age where you evaluate before adding term.
That's the whole logic. You don't hand a 36-year-old a blind extension, and letting another season play out protects both his value and the team's books.
Holland kept it low-key on purpose.
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Why holding off is the sensible play here
The mutual intent takes the drama out. Both sides wanting Doughty to retire a King means this isn't a star eyeing the exit. It's a legend and his team agreeing on patience.
The waiting is really information-gathering. Doughty's next deal hinges on how 2026-27 goes. A strong year strengthens his case, a step back changes the conversation entirely.
The cap angle fits, too. At $11M, his current number is already steep, so Holland keeping flexibility rather than locking in more term is smart management of an aging core.
The team context supports the patience. The Kings finished 20th under D.J. Smith, a club in the middle that has every reason to be measured with big money on an older star.
Here's my read: this is the right call, and a level-headed one. You don't rush a 36-year-old's extension, and both sides clearly trust the relationship enough to wait. No alarm bells, just prudence.
So Doughty plays out the season with his future a year from resolution.
How 2026-27 unfolds decides whether the Kings hand their longtime stalwart one more deal. Patience now, the real decision later.
Should the Kings wait a year before extending the 36-year-old Doughty?
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