Luka’s Business of Luka: How Luka Dončic’s trade for Lakers has affected ticket prices, jersey -sales and collectibles

Several days after Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade shocked world, the dust has begun to settle down. Each player has conducted initial interviews with his new team and is used to a new list of teammates, coaches and coaches.

NBA will roll on as much as we know. But out of the field, this trade could have rippling effects with millions of dollars in lost wages, increased sales of the shirt and more.

For starters, Anthony Davis has chosen not to receive his $ 6 million trading kicker. In what can only be considered an unusual step, especially considering the total value of the setting, Davis left Seven numbers on the table to help Mavericks remain financially flexible to improve their list and said, “I just try to do my part (to help mavericks get better). “

Dončić on the other hand will sacrifice much more. The bright lights in Hollywood will undoubtedly lead to more approval income in the coming years, but the trade could eventually cost 25-year-old All-Star more than $ 100 million in total.

Not only does Dončić leave a state without income tax for a state with the highest income tax – California’s top income tax rate is 14.4% – but Dončić is no longer entitled to sign a supermax extension. This expansion would have awarded Dončić the biggest contract in NBA history to $ 346 million over five years, but now he is only eligible for a five-year-old, $ 229 million deal in Los Angeles, a difference of $ 117 million.

Dončić is also not the only one who leaves money on the table. Due to fan fruit from the trade, Mavericks has reportedly begun to offer refunding- for the rest of the team’s home matches this season. Season ticket holders had already been notified of price increases for the 2025-26 season, with a Mavericks fan saying his season tickets will rise by 61% next season, According to NBC DFW.

Outside of players and fans, this historic trade could affect collectors. The market for collectibles had cooled on Dončić in the last few years after his 1/1 Panini National Treasures Autographed Logoman card, which was sold for a record $ 4.6 million in 2021. However, with Dončić moves to one of NBAS most Popular franchises, the secondary market has found the secondary market new life. Searches for Luka Dončić’s name on eBay has risen 1,150% in the previous seven-day periodAccording to the athletic, Luka’s name sought over 80 times a minute. And while pristine copies of Dončić’s Panini Prizm Silver Rookie card 2018 sold for about $ 1,000 before the trade took place, collectors now have to pay almost $ 2,000 to get the same card just a few days later.

It’s the same story for sweaters. Despite the relatively high price of $ 80, Fanatics has sold out of Lakers Gold jerseys with Dončic’s name on the back. A few other variations are still in stock, like Laker’s Purple and some higher prices authentic options, but there is no story about whether these will still be available next week.

Fans who want to participate in a Lakers game also feel the effect. The average fare for home and away for all Lakers play has risen 19% since trade. Tickets for Lakers vs. The Mavericks game in Los Angeles on February 25 has also seen an increase of 111%, with Get-in tickets quickly approaching $ 300, according to Vivid Seats.

Maybe some of this hysteria will die down in the next few days. Davis was a big star in his own right. However, Dončić represents a breath of fresh air for one of NBA’s most stormed franchises. The 25-year-old international superstar could be a franchise corner in the next decade, which helps to create revenue higher for everyone, including the team, merchandise partners, ticket brokers and collectors.