When the Dallas Mavericks pulled off the boldest trade of the NBA season—sending Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis—it marked a seismic shift in the identity of the franchise. Dončić, the 26-year-old face of the team and one of the league’s premier scorers, was gone. In his place came Davis, a 32-year-old superstar with a dominant defensive résumé, a history of injuries, and, now, a much bigger paycheck.
According to salary projections, Davis will earn approximately $186 million over the next three seasons, compared to $161 million for Dončić during that same span. That’s nearly $25 million more for a player many consider past his prime. But this isn’t just about salary cap math—it’s about a franchise philosophy change happening in real time.
A Financial Bet on Dominance
Dallas isn’t paying Anthony Davis for what he was—they’re investing in what they believe he still can be: a championship cornerstone. And the message is clear. The Mavericks aren’t trying to outscore teams anymore—they’re trying to outlast them, physically and defensively.
With the arrival of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, Dallas is building from the inside out. Flagg brings versatility and two-way potential. Davis brings elite rim protection, postseason experience, and instant credibility. That combination is what Dallas is banking on—literally.
The higher payout isn’t just about value; it’s about leverage. Davis arrived with multiple suitors, a championship pedigree, and the clout to command a premium deal. Dallas, desperate to stabilize after a disappointing season and a franchise-altering trade, paid the price.
Dončić’s current deal was structured before the NBA’s salary cap spike and before the new CBA incentives for veterans. Davis’s new deal takes advantage of every possible financial edge a seasoned All-Star can negotiate. But the age and health discrepancy between the two has fans—and insiders—debating the long-term wisdom.
What This Means for the Mavericks
This isn’t just a money issue—it’s an identity issue. The Mavericks have bet on experience over youth, defense over offense, and structure over improvisation. They’re trying to become something different, even if it means absorbing the cost.
Davis’s contract doesn’t just give him financial security—it gives him power. He’s the highest-paid player on the team, the anchor of the new era, and the one expected to carry Cooper Flagg through his early NBA development. That weight is immense, both on the floor and in the locker room.
For Dallas, paying more for Davis isn’t just about dollars—it’s about direction.
The Bigger Picture
There’s pressure on both sides of this deal. If Davis stays healthy, he could redefine the Mavericks’ ceiling. But if he breaks down or underperforms, Dallas won’t just be haunted by the trade—the contract’ll bury them.
Meanwhile, Dončić will be chasing titles in Los Angeles with LeBron James nearing retirement and the Lakers’ championship window still open. If he succeeds while Davis falters, the financial imbalance will be a headline—not just a footnote.
The Mavericks didn’t just trade Luka Dončić—they traded identities. And by paying Anthony Davis nearly $25 million more over the next three years, they’ve made one thing clear:
This is Anthony Davis’s team now.
The price of power? Exactly $186 million.
