Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is widely recognized as one of the best players in the NBA and among the greatest European talents in the game’s history.
The 24-year-old’s basketball journey began with notable success as a youth player for local Slovenian team Union Olimpija before transitioning to Real Madrid’s youth academy in Spain. At 16, he made history by debuting for Los Blancos’ senior team, becoming the youngest player to do so in the club’s history.
(Photo : Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GEORGIA – Luka Doncic (#77) of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 26, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Slovenian prodigy played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s 2018 EuroLeague triumph, earning both the EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP titles. In the same year, Doncic was also honored with the ACB Most Valuable Player award, concluding an illustrious career in Europe before making the leap to the NBA.
Upon entering the NBA, Doncic was initially selected as the third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, a significant draft-day trade with the Dallas Mavericks resulted in him and Trae Young swapping teams.
Since then, the 6-foot-7 guard has captivated the league with his versatile and dynamic playing style, showcasing his prowess making the NBA All-Star Game five times and the All-NBA First Team four times.
He also won the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year and claimed individual honors with the Slovenian national team, becoming the 2023 FIBA World Cup top scorer and a member of its All-Tournament Team.
Luka Doncic Contract: $207 million
In the summer of 2021, Doncic signed a lucrative five-year contract extension with the Maverick worth $207 million, which was the largest guaranteed rookie extension in NBA history at the time of its signing.
This deal is scheduled to cover the period from the 2022-23 season through the 2026-27 season, with the last year being a player option, providing the elite playmaker with flexibility in his future decisions.
Before signing his current contract, Doncic played under a rookie scale deal spanning from the 2018-19 season to the 2021-22 season. This contract amounted to $32.4 million for the initial four seasons of his career, resulting in an average annual salary of $8.1 million over that period.
Potential next contract of Luka Doncic
Doncic will only be 28 years old when his current contract is up, and many teams would be interested in a potential all-time great in his prime years.
According to ESPN analyst Bobby Marks, Doncic could be the first player in NBA history to earn $80 million in a single season.
This potential milestone is due to Doncic meeting specific criteria, including being named to the All-NBA team, accumulating enough years of service in the league, and establishing a status as a bona fide top-five player in the league.
Luka Doncic Career Earnings
By the end of the 2023-24 NBA season, Doncic is expected to have earned $109.1 million solely from his NBA salary during his initial six seasons in the league, according to Spotrac.
This calculation excludes potential income from off-court ventures, including endorsements and partnerships.
Additionally, the mentioned amount does not account for deductions such as taxes, agent fees, or other business-related expenses.
Looking ahead to the conclusion of his current contract after the 2026-27 NBA season, the former Real Madrid Baloncesto star is projected to have amassed career earnings surpassing $247.1 million.
Luka Doncic Salary 2023-24
For the ongoing 2023-24 NBA season, Doncic is set to earn $40.06 million, as reported by HoopsHype.
This makes him the highest-paid player on the Dallas Mavericks roster and the 16th highest-paid player in the entire league for the 2023-24 season.
Looking ahead, the Slovenian’s salary is anticipated to increase to $43.03 million in the 2024-25 season.
It will rise to $45.9 million for the 2025-26 season before reaching its peak at $48.9 million in the 2026-27 season, which is a player option and marks the final year of his current contract.