In an era where NBA superstars are commanding staggering contracts, salary comparisons often spark debates among fans and analysts alike. One such topic currently raising eyebrows is the fact that Anthony Davis is set to earn $26 million more than Luka Dončić over the next three seasons. This revelation has ignited conversations around perceived value, performance, durability, and long-term investment in NBA roster construction. While both players are undeniably elite talents in the league, their career trajectories and circumstances have painted drastically different pictures when it comes to contract negotiation and overall financial compensation.
Anthony Davis, the 6-foot-10 big man for the Los Angeles Lakers, remains one of the most polarizing players in the NBA today. Known for his versatility, elite shot-blocking, rebounding, and a silky midrange game, Davis has been a cornerstone of the Lakers’ success, especially during their 2020 championship run in the Orlando bubble. Since being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Lakers in 2019, Davis has seen his market value surge, partly due to his elite defensive capabilities and ability to dominate both ends of the court when healthy.
On the other hand, Luka Dončić, the Dallas Mavericks’ 25-year-old phenom from Slovenia, has already built a résumé that places him among the most elite guards in NBA history before even reaching his prime. A generational playmaker with unmatched vision and a scorer who can torch defenses from anywhere on the floor, Dončić has already secured multiple All-NBA First Team honors and nearly carried his Mavericks to the NBA Finals on sheer will and brilliance alone. His skill set and leadership have transformed Dallas into a perennial playoff contender, making his impact on the franchise invaluable.
Despite Dončić’s meteoric rise and immense value to the Mavericks, his current contract, a five-year, $215 million rookie max extension signed in 2021, reflects the structured limitations of the NBA’s rookie scale and cap system. Because the league has specific rules on how much money players can earn coming off rookie deals, even those who perform at MVP levels, Dončić’s salary progression has been constrained. His average salary over the next three seasons is estimated at around $43 million annually, a staggering sum by any measure, but still not reflective of his complete market value when compared to veterans who have already qualified for the league’s “supermax” tier under different conditions.
Anthony Davis, meanwhile, is a prime example of a veteran who has fully capitalized on his leverage, tenure, and the escalating NBA salary cap. Last summer, Davis signed a three-year, $186 million contract extension with the Lakers, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. This new extension averages around $62 million per season beginning in the 2025–26 campaign, and when combined with the tail end of his previous deal, Davis’s earnings over the next three seasons will outpace Dončić’s by a considerable margin—specifically, by a projected $26 million. That difference is drawing scrutiny, especially as many observers believe Dončić has delivered more consistent elite performance over the past few seasons.
The disparity raises questions about how NBA teams manage long-term investments in their stars. Davis, who turns 32 in 2025, is entering the latter half of his prime. His career has been plagued by frequent injuries, which have led him to miss significant portions of multiple seasons. Although his skill set remains elite, particularly on the defensive end, durability has always been a concern. Nevertheless, the Lakers have doubled down on Davis as their franchise centerpiece for the post-LeBron James era, banking on his ability to lead the team as the primary star. Their massive financial commitment reflects both a belief in Davis’s long-term value and a necessity to secure a foundational player amid limited other options.
Conversely, Dončić, despite being younger and having a cleaner bill of health (though not entirely without minor injuries), finds himself earning less under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement due to timing. His next opportunity to truly capitalize on a massive contract likely won’t come until 2026, when he becomes eligible for a supermax extension that could approach or even surpass $350 million over five years, depending on the league’s salary cap trajectory. If Dončić makes another All-NBA team next season—a likely outcome—he could qualify for this megadeal, positioning him for a major leap in annual earnings.
But the financial comparison goes beyond just numbers—it reflects broader themes in how NBA teams value different positions, career timelines, and marketability. Davis, with his established veteran presence and defensive versatility, commands respect and cachet, especially in a market like Los Angeles. He has endorsement deals, international recognition, and a championship ring to his name, all of which enhance his earning potential and influence how the Lakers perceive his worth. Meanwhile, Dončić’s international stardom, growing fanbase, and consistent production position him as the NBA’s next global face, a trajectory that may ultimately eclipse Davis both on and off the court.
