The NBA landscape witnessed a seismic shift in 2025 with a blockbuster trade that reshaped the league's power dynamics. The deal saw Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic move from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, while veteran superstar Anthony Davis was traded from the Lakers to the Mavericks. This swap not only altered the career trajectories of both athletes but also set their financial futures on fascinatingly different paths.
The Financial Scorecard: A Clear Veteran Advantage
As the 2025-26 NBA regular season approaches its midpoint, a stark financial disparity exists between the two traded superstars. Anthony Davis, with his six additional seasons of experience, currently holds a commanding lead in net worth. Davis's estimated wealth stands at a formidable $180 million, compared to Luka Doncic's $100 million. This $80 million gap is a direct result of Davis's longer tenure and the massive contract extensions he has secured over his career.
The detailed financial breakdown highlights the contrast:
- Estimated Net Worth: Doncic: $100 Million | Davis: $180 Million
- 2025-26 Salary: Doncic: ~$46 Million | Davis: ~$54 Million
- Total Career Earnings: Doncic: ~$198 Million | Davis: ~$310 Million
- Primary Shoe Deal: Doncic: Jordan Brand | Davis: Nike
Anthony Davis: Building a Wealth Empire Through Longevity
Anthony Davis's financial supremacy is built on a foundation of lucrative, long-term contracts. A pivotal moment came in 2023 when he signed a historic three-year, $186 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, which was the richest annual extension in NBA history at that time. This contract followed him to Dallas. His earnings are set to remain astronomical, with $58.5 million due next season and a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
Off the court, Davis adds roughly $5 to $10 million annually from endorsements with giants like Nike, Beats by Dre, and Ruffles. He has also made savvy high-value investments, notably listing his Bel Air mansion for $40 million in 2025. His diverse portfolio solidifies his position as the wealthier of the two stars today.
Luka Doncic: The Steep Ascent of a Global Icon
While currently behind in net worth, Luka Doncic's financial trajectory is pointed sharply upward. His earning potential is considered one of the highest in global sports. His journey began with a five-year, $215 million maximum contract signed with the Mavericks in 2022. Upon his move to the high-profile Los Angeles Lakers market in 2025, he inked a three-year, $165 million extension.
The most eye-popping projection is his eligibility for a five-year, $417 million "supermax" deal in 2028, which would be the largest contract in NBA history and reset the league's salary scale. As a global icon with a massive European following and a flagship deal with Jordan Brand, his marketability has skyrocketed after moving to Los Angeles. Analysts predict a significant spike in his endorsement income, which currently includes partnerships with BioSteel and Panini.
Future Projections: The Gap Is Set to Close
The narrative is not just about the present $80 million difference but about the future. Luka Doncic is on a clear pace to surpass Anthony Davis's net worth before he turns 30. The potential 2028 supermax contract is the key factor that could propel Doncic into the stratosphere of athlete wealth. Davis's wealth, though immense, is built on current and past earnings, while Doncic's biggest paydays are still ahead of him.
This blockbuster trade of 2025, therefore, did more than exchange two All-NBA talents. It juxtaposed the established financial empire of a veteran with the meteoric, untapped earning potential of a younger global phenomenon. The coming years will reveal if Doncic's projected financial ascent can overtake the substantial head start built by Anthony Davis.
