It didn’t take lengthy for Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers to conform to a contract extension after the stunning blockbuster commerce final season.
Whereas nobody anticipated the Dallas Mavericks to commerce a participant of Luka Doncic’s caliber, the Los Angeles Lakers are benefiting from this sudden reward.
Doncic has proven his dedication to the Lakers after signing a three-year, $165 million cope with the Lakers. Which will sound like an enormous quantity, however how about placing it in context to what Anthony Davis will make over the following three seasons?
In spite of everything, the Mavs traded Doncic to the Lakers in a deal primarily round Davis, who apparently has an excellent relationship with GM Nico Harrison.
There’s little doubt that Davis is a particular expertise, and he performed an important position throughout the Lakers’ 2020 NBA Championship. On the similar time, AD has struggled with accidents all through his profession.
Moreover, Davis is already 32 years outdated, so it’s probably that his harm considerations will solely improve throughout his tenure with the Mavericks. As for his contract, he’s on an enormous payroll over the following three seasons.
| Season | Anthony Davis’ Earnings |
| 2025-26 | $54.1 million |
| 2026-27 | $58.4 million |
| 2027-28 | $62.7 million (participant choice) |
In whole, the Mavericks owe Davis greater than $175 million over the following three seasons. Now, evaluating that to Doncic’s wage for a similar interval exhibits how a lot of a reduction the Lakers obtained.
Let’s not overlook Doncic is simply 26 years outdated and in the perfect form of his NBA profession forward of the upcoming season.
| Season | Luka Doncic’s Earnings |
| 2025-26 | $45.9 million |
| 2026-27 | $49.6 million |
| 2027-28 | $53.6 million |
Luka’s earnings are about $150 million by the tip of the 2027-28 NBA season. That’s $25 million lower than what the Mavericks can be paying Davis.
Doncic additionally has a $57.5 million participant choice for the 2028-29 season, which he’s anticipated to say no to signal a projected five-year, $417 million cope with the Purple and Gold.
Apart from signing his contract extension, Doncic’s plans to compete for the 2026 NBA title have additionally been made clear.
So, it’s apparent that Doncic desires to convey a number of championships to the Metropolis of Angels. Holding that in thoughts, the one factor that the Mavericks can do to counter that is to win a hoop with Davis.
Sure, the Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg, who is anticipated to be the following cornerstone star of the franchise.
However till Flagg is prepared, the Mavericks have to win an NBA Championship with Davis to save lots of face after shockingly buying and selling Luka, who has already moved on from the staff.
