The LA Lakers landed a bargain when they executed the trade that stunned basketball.
It is approaching a full two months since the LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks agreed the Luka Doncic trade. The shock move changed the potential timeline for success for both teams, with the Mavs’ shortening their window.
Luka Doncic has been averaging 27.5 points per game for the Lakers so far, including a triple double against the Mavericks when the two teams faced off.
The move was a dream acquisition that team president Jeanie Buss did not believe possible, and from a value point of view, the Lakers have acquired one of the top stars who is worth more than the money the team will be paying for him.
Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic deal
The Dallas Mavericks moved on from Luka Doncic in part because they were worried about having to pay the Slovenian the supermax contract he would have been eligible for.
Doncic is no longer eligible for the supermax when he hits free agency in 2026, even though he will be paid handsomely.
Whatever the Lakers end up paying, or any other team for that matter, will be landing a bargain.
ESPN expert and author of a new book on Luka Doncic, Tim MacMahon explained during an appearance on Johan Buva’s YouTube channel.
He said: “They feared giving them the supermax, which I didn’t know that until they traded him. Really, it’s like, you think the supermax is a bad deal for this guy?
“Let’s be honest, like you talk to people around the league, and I’ve asked a lot, I ask analytics people, what’s his value?
“And a lot of them will tell me he’s $100 million value. $100 million per year. Supermax is a little under 70 average.”
The estimation speaks to Luka Doncic’s impact, and his potential longevity for the team. At just 26-years-old, if they succeed in re-signing him, the Lakers could enjoy his services for the best part of the next decade.
MacMahon has separately stated that not a single team executive or insider has told him that they agree with the Mavericks decision, while adding that the move ‘broke Luka Doncic’s heart’.
NBA’s highest paid players
The highest paid player for the current NBA season is Stephen Curry, per ESPN, who is earning $55.7 million in 2024-25.
When you average out agreed contracts across their duration, Joel Embiid is the best paid player in the NBA. set to earn $64.3 million per year annually until 2028.
Luka Doncic’s salary for the current season is $43 million. An improved deal will see him land more – but still less than the $100 million he is truly estimated to be worth.
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