Mavs Star Luka Doncic Underpaid While Waiting on Record-Breaking Contract?

No longer are $100 million contracts an eye-popping accomplishment for NBA stars. Such a number is now considered a low-ball offer for any dignified All-Star. The game has significantly grown influentially and financially. Many superstars are now earning $50 million annually.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will be up for free agency after the 2025-26 season, and he's projected to net a significant, historical raise. Until then, some players get paid more than the third-place MVP candidate for the 2023-24 season, 17 exactly.

However, if No. 77 doesn't want to wait until the summer of 2026, Doncic is up for an extension following the 2024-25 season. According to ESPN front-office expert Bobby Marks, the five-time All-NBA first-team star is eligible for a five-year, $346.3 million contract, which would be the largest in league history.

Recently, Boston Celtics NBA champion Jayson Tatum signed the most enormous contract extension in NBA history, a five-year, $313.9 million deal.

Until Doncic signs his next contract, here are the 17 players paid more than the NBA Finals runner-up: Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, LeBron James, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis and Trae Young.

Related: NBA Analyst Compares Luka Doncic to Unlikely Icon

The salary cap changes every season, as agreed by the CBA. However, the upcoming TV deal will lead to higher pay for both parties, the players and ownership. Ultimately, Doncic will capitalize on such a landmark deal.

The Mavericks will gladly pay Doncic any dollar amount to keep the superstar talent, as he's arguably the best offensive player in the NBA. As much money as Doncic currently makes, one could argue that he’s still underpaid based on the load he carries for Dallas.