Since news broke of the shocking trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks, which sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles unexpectedly, media members have been tirelessly trying to justify the decision made by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. Former WNBA star and current NBA on TNT analyst Candace Parker discussed on Tuesday why players across the NBA should be concerned about the implications of this trade. On paper, trading away a 25-year-old perennial All-NBA superstar in the midst of his prime is a move that seems difficult to justify.
While reports have surfaced about Dončić’s weight being a concern for the Mavericks, many media members believe there must be a deeper reasoning behind the trade. Parker speculated on Inside the NBA that the Mavericks may have made this move to sidestep paying Dončić a supermax deal. Such contracts allow teams to exceed the normal maximum salary cap based on a player’s history with the team, making Dončić eligible for the NBA’s largest contract. However, now he cannot earn as much immediately, leading Parker to question the organization’s motivations.
“I think one thing that we aren’t talking about is the $117 million that Luka is losing not being able to sign a supermax deal,” Parker stated. “Is this a way for ownership to circumvent the supermax contract? And might this spark discussions among players in the CBA? He has met every criteria as a player. First-Team All-NBA, one of only three players to average 28-7-7, and he almost averaged a triple-double last year. He has fulfilled all his obligations, yet now he can’t sign the supermax.”
Candace reacts to Luka missing out on a reported $117M now that he’s ineligible for a super-max deal this offseason 👀💰 pic.twitter.com/cmRAmGJ0hP
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 5, 2025
Parker makes a compelling argument. Before the trade, Dončić was eligible for a supermax deal worth $345 million over five years with the Mavericks. Now, he can only sign a five-year contract valued at $229 million with the Lakers. The Designated Veteran Player Extension, or supermax deal, was introduced in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement to enable smaller-market teams to retain their star players by offering significantly higher salaries to homegrown talent upon entering their second contract.
While supermax contracts are typically seen as extremely beneficial for players, this situation illustrates how organizations might circumvent paying such hefty contracts while still acquiring value from top-tier talent.
Ultimately, it’s unfortunate for Dončić, especially since reports indicate he did not request a trade. The financial loss he faces in his next contract is not due to any fault of his own. If players perceive the Mavericks’ move as financially motivated, it is likely that the NBPA will advocate for changes to the criteria for supermax contracts in the next collective bargaining agreement. Sadly for Dončić, any potential changes would come well after they would impact him, as the next CBA will not take effect until post-2029-30 season.
