Anthony Davis Getting Paid $25 Million More Than Lakers’ Luka Doncic

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23) and Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers' new contract extension for five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic may pay him a maximum salary worth up to $165 million cumulatively — but in a nice bit of business, he'll still make far less than the (worse) player L.A. traded away to add him, 10-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis.

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As Sam Quinn of CBS Sports notes, Davis will make an estimated $25 million more than Doncic over the next three seasons (Doncic has a player option on the final year of his extension, in 2028-29).

Anthony Davis will cost around $25 million more than Luka Doncic over the next three seasons. Nico Harrison, ladies and gentlemen.

— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) August 2, 2025

Should Doncic make that full $165 million, which is contingent on how quickly the league's salary cap increases, he would still make $21 million less than Davis across the next three years.

More news: Lakers, Luka Doncic Agree to Massive Contract Extension to Keep Superstar in LA

Hey so don’t tell anyone but Anthony Davis 3 year $186 extension which kicks in this year is more expensive than Luka Dončić’s $165 deal. Both have the final year of the 2027-28 season.

— Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) August 2, 2025

At 32, Davis is six years older than Doncic, and possibly on the downswing of his impressive career.

Davis has always been a major injury risk, and his back problems in particular have started veering toward the dreaded "recurring" status.

The 6-foot-10 superstar, who won a title with Lakers All-NBA power forward LeBron James in 2020 (the entire rest of the roster is different), has missed 26 or more games in five of the last seven seasons. True, he was available for a career-most 76 games with Los Angeles in 2023-24, but generally, it's safe to take the under on his game tally from year to year.

Outside of a calf injury last season, Doncic has been fairly available. After getting into great shape this summer — with a "Men's Health" cover story to prove it — the 26-year-old guard looks poised to return to the performance levels that earned him two Western Conference Finals berths, and one NBA Finals appearance, across his final full three seasons in Dallas.

Davis' deal puts Doncic's in sharp relief. This is a superstar with more upside than the future Hall of Fame big man ever had. The league could be his for years to come, provided L.A. puts the right pieces around him.

More news:

Surprising Center Named Possible Trade Option For Lakers

Lakers Officially Waive Big Man in Surprise Roster Move

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.