In the world of the NBA, where multi-million dollar contracts are the norm and stars pay the highest wages, there is always room for speculation about the future pay arrangements for top players. In the last few hours, the name of Luka Doncic has been the protagonist in this aspect.
Recently, during an appearance on the popular podcast The Lowe Post, Bobby Marks, a respected ESPN NBA analyst, released a prediction of NBA Rumors that left fans and the basketball community in a state of shock and anticipation. Marks suggested that Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks’ young Slovenian prodigy, could become the first player to earn an astronomical $80 million a year in the NBA.
Marks’ statement, made at 1:17:15 of the episode, immediately sparked debate among fans, pundits and players across the league. Is it possible that a player, even if he is as talented as Doncic, could reach such a monumental salary number? To better understand this perspective, we need to examine a few key aspects.
First off, Luka Doncic has proven to be a phenomenon since arriving in the NBA in 2018. His ability to score, assist and control the game from a young age is nothing short of impressive. As he continues to improve and mature as a player, his value in the NBA market can only increase. His ability to complete the stats and versatility on the court are highly valued qualities in modern basketball, making him a logical candidate for lucrative contracts in the future.
Second, the NBA’s steady increase in salary caps has allowed ever larger contracts for stars. With the continued growth of the league and the revenues of the teams, top contracts are no longer a rarity but an everyday reality. This has led, without going further, to Jaylen Brown and Anthony Davis currently holding the highest contracts in the history of the competition. Why couldn’t a player of Doncic’s caliber aim for 80M?
A (for now) distant future
However, there are also factors that could hinder this goal. Salary caps and NBA regulations limit the amount a player can earn on a single contract. Additionally, contract negotiations and agreements are complex processes involving multiple parties, including the player, their agent, the team, and NBA leadership.
Although the idea that Luka Doncic could earn $80 million per season is exciting and provocative, there is still a long way to go before it becomes a reality. The talent and potential are there, but there are also financial and contractual challenges to overcome. However, in a league where the limits seem to be constantly being expanded, it cannot be ruled out that Doncic will set a new salary standard in the NBA in the not too distant future.
