Luka Dončić joins NBA’s highest-paid club with €47M per year and prepares for massive contract in 2028
Luka Dončić (1.98m, 26) has officially joined the exclusive circle of highest-paid NBA players following his three-year contract extension worth 165 million dollars with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Slovenian point guard now earns 47 million euros per season ($53.13 million), placing him tied for fifth place globally.
Breaking: Luka Doncic has signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the Lakers, with a player option in 2028, his agent told @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/OhvuHOXkfG
— ESPN (@espn) August 2, 2025
Stephen Curry maintains top spot in salary rankings
The NBA salary rankings remain dominated by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who earns 51.4 million euros annually ($59.6 million). At 37, the American legend has already earned $413,605,898 in his career and will see his salary increase to $62,587,158 in the 2026-2027 season.
Behind Curry are Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) and Nikola Jokić (Denver) with 47.65 million euros ($55.22 million), followed by Kevin Durant (Houston) with 47.2 million euros ($54.71 million). Dončić shares fifth place with Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Jimmy Butler (Golden State), Jayson Tatum (Boston) and Anthony Davis (Dallas).
Ambitious financial strategy for 2028
Dončić’s choice to sign a three-year extension rather than four years is part of a long-term strategy. This decision will make him eligible for a historic five-year contract potentially worth 360 million euros ($417 million) in 2028, representing 35% of the salary cap. The Slovenian plans to decline his $57.58 million player option in 2028-2029 to sign the first contract over $400 million in NBA history.
Beyond financial considerations, Dončić has announced a remarkable philanthropic gesture. « I want to help them achieve their dreams, as I did. Basketball has given me everything. I’m happy to give back and help the next generation, » explained the player. He will distribute five million dollars (4.3 million euros) to 77 young athletes worldwide, a symbolic number corresponding to his usual jersey number.
This contractual development comes as LeBron James could leave the Lakers at the end of the 2025-2026 season, leaving Dončić as the leader of the California franchise for years to come.
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