Owners balking at big contracts? Five players who will still get PAID this summer

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Luka Doncic is basking in the Los Angeles sun because, at least in part, team governor Patrick Dumont and Dallas Mavericks ownership balked at paying the 25-year-old the largest contract in NBA history, $346 million over five years.

That’s a lot of money, but with the tidal wave of cash about to wash over the NBA from the new television contract, that’s the going rate for the kind of franchise cornerstone star who can lead a team to the Finals (which Doncic did). The dollar amounts for NBA contracts will only become more mind-blowing in the coming years.

Other owners are not going to hesitate to write big checks so their teams can win. So, who is getting paid this summer? And how much? Here are five names to watch.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the first NBA player to be paid more than $80 million for one season. Let that sink in.

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That will come in the final year of the four-year, $293 million super-max extension Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to sign this summer — the largest contract in NBA history ($73.25 million average annual salary). Unlike management in Dallas, the Thunder are expected to offer the contract the first day they can and lock up their superstar.

SGA has already met the super-max qualifications, he was First Team All-NBA each of the past two seasons (and might win MVP this season). When this season ends, SGA will have two years and $79.1 million remaining on his current contract, which is why he can only sign for four more years (a contract can’t have more than six years on it).

Luka Doncic

The Lakers don’t hesitate to pay their stars.

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Doncic is expected to be offered and sign a max extension with the Lakers this summer — Los Angeles can offer up to five years, $229 million (average annual salary of $57.25 million). However, it is likely any contract Doncic signs has a player option after three years, in the summer of 2028, when Doncic will reach 10 years of service in the league and can re-sign for 35% of the salary cap, instead of the 30% he can sign for now.

Doncic is not eligible for the super-max extension because he was traded last month…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/owners-balking-big-contracts-five-163618958.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2025-02-21 16:36:00

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