Luka Dončić’s staggering NBA earnings and the 2028 contract that could make history

Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić just inked a lucrative extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, cementing his place among the highest earners in NBA history — and his climb up the rankings is only beginning.

Massive future payday looms in 2028

Already the 24th-richest player ever in terms of total contract value, Dončić will make $165 million over the next three seasons alone. Come 2028, he’ll be eligible for a five-year deal worth a staggering $418 million. If the salary-cap boom continues, Dončić could one day hold the record for the most money ever made from NBA contracts.

That potential payday is being fueled by skyrocketing league revenues from new TV deals and the latest collective bargaining agreement, which has pushed top-end salaries into uncharted territory.

How Dončić compares with NBA legends

The all-time list is led — unsurprisingly — by LeBron James, with Steph Curry close behind. Until relatively recently, you had to scroll all the way to No. 27 to find the next active player, Kevin Garnett.

To put things in perspective: Dončić, just 26 years old and only seven seasons into his career, has already earned more than $364 million in contracts. Kobe Bryant, who played 20 seasons and retired at nearly 38, made $328 million.

Surprising names near the top of the earnings list

As salaries surge, the list is full of eye-popping totals — and some names that might raise eyebrows. Devin Booker sits third all-time with $533 million, just shy of Curry. Paul George, whose star has faded in recent years, is fourth. Joel Embiid, often sidelined with injuries, is fifth. All three have already crossed the $500 million mark, joined by Kevin Durant at No. 6 — a spot that seems almost modest given his résumé.

The rest of the top 10 features Anthony Davis (7th), Damian Lillard (8th), and, surprisingly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9th) — who, at just 27, has an NBA title and over $480 million in career contracts. Jayson Tatum rounds out the top 10, also at 27.

The top 25 is dominated by today’s stars

Go past Shai and Tatum, and you won’t find a player under $400 million until you reach No. 21. Giannis Antetokounmpo is 11th, followed by Kyrie Irving (12th), Kawhi Leonard (13th), Bradley Beal (14th), and James Harden (15th). From there, Nikola Jokić, Jimmy Butler, Jaylen Brown, Chris Paul, and Karl-Anthony Towns fill out spots 16 through 20.

Dončić appears in the next group, behind Jrue Holiday, Jamal Murray, and Rudy Gobert. Just behind him is the youngest player in the top 25: 25-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr., who has already made $358 million.

From Mavs Rookie of the Year to Lakers franchise centerpiece

Dončić spent six and a half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, winning Rookie of the Year, making five straight All-NBA First Teams, and earning five consecutive All-Star nods. He carried Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals — only the third appearance in franchise history.

His first year in Los Angeles ended with a first-round exit (4-1 to the Timberwolves), but the Lakers have handed him the keys to the franchise. Now, Dončić’s mission is clear: deliver a championship to one of the league’s most storied teams. On and off the court, his future is measured in wins — and hundreds of millions of dollars.

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