Doncic gets hold of the milestone: the unprecedented monster contract


Doncic gets the milestone
The unprecedented monster contract

Needed by David

Luka Doncic makes history – with his signature alone: ​​The Slovenian NBA star signs an unprecedented contract with the Dallas Mavericks in the best basketball league in the world. Dirk Nowitzki is flying to Slovenia specifically to thread the mega-deal.

The signature does not come as a surprise. But it becomes all the more historical. Luka Doncic extends his contract with the Dallas Mavericks by five years, earning 207 million US dollars (about 176 million euros). Since the Slovenian was elected to the first All-NBA team in the past two seasons, he was automatically entitled to the maximum 30 percent of the upper salary limit of his club. The 22-year-old is the first player in NBA history to be eligible for this type of mega-extension (the so-called rookie-max extension, i.e. the maximum extension of an NBA newcomer’s contract). The signature on the working paper should follow today.

Doncic is already considered one of the most accomplished players in the NBA and is quickly becoming the future face of the league. Some experts already recognize the point guard as one of the best basketball players in history. Luka Magic is already being called. It is rare for such young players to be elected to the first All-NBA team. That’s why the Rookie Max Extension has never existed. Only four players in NBA history made it to the first All-NBA team multiple times before their 23rd birthday. Doncic, team-mate of national player Maximilian Kleber, was also voted Rookie of the Year in 2018/19.

The new deal was also initiated by Mavs icon Dirk Nowitzki, among others. The Mavericks’ special advisor flew to Slovenia a few days ago with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, General Manager Nico Harrison and new trainer Jason Kidd. The German basketball legend and his companions didn’t have to do too much persuasion. Doncic didn’t want to miss out on the mega contract, of course, and the 22-year-old should feel right at home in Dallas. After Nowitzki (21 years with the Mavs), it is now he who ushers in a new era and leads the franchise as a symbol and player. Especially the future work under Coach Kidd, after all one of the best point guards of all time, should also appeal to the youngster.

“Today is a dream come true,” Doncic told US sports broadcaster ESPN in a statement: “Basketball has given me so much and has taken me to so many great places. I am honored and happy to be part of the Mavericks in Dallas stay. I feel obliged to the organization and appreciate the support of my fans. “

Doncic has long been considered a child prodigy and played basketball professionally as a teenager in Europe. In 2017/18 he became the youngest MVP in EuroLeague history when he led Real Madrid to the title. In 2018, the point guard was selected third in the NBA draft and immediately swapped from the Atlanta Hawks to the Mavericks for Trae Young. With the Slovenian national team he only lost in the semifinals of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It was his first defeat in the national jersey after 17 wins in a row.

Dallas now hopes to finally be able to build another title candidate around Doncic. After the 2011 championship with Dirk Nowitzki, the Slovenian was able to lead the Mavs into the playoffs in the past two years, but the first round ended there. Despite incredibly strong performances from Doncic (33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 13 playoff games), the Los Angeles Clippers were twice too high a hurdle.

Doncic’s mega-contract should have calmed those responsible in Dallas (even if hardly anyone doubted its extension), but the $ 207 million also put the club in trouble. Kristaps Porzingis (also has a very well-endowed contract until 2024) was actually planned as the second star player next to Doncic, but the Latvian does not work as hoped for the Mavs. Now there is no money for other different players.

There is still a long way to go for Donic until Nowitzki’s 21 years in the club. All of Dallas now continues to rely on Luka Magic. For an initial period of at least five more years.

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