Anthony Davis commands one of the highest paychecks in the NBA on a per game basis, reflecting his status as an elite two-way big man. Understanding his salary per game requires looking at both the headline number and the context around incentives and team priorities.
This breakdown translates his massive annual contract into per game terms and explains how roster moves, tax scenarios, and performance bonuses shape what he actually earns each night.
| Season | Salary (USD) | Games Played | Salary Per Game (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 40,917,750 | 74 | 552,942 |
| 2024-25 | 46,366,425 | 82 projected | 565,444 projected |
| 2022-23 | 39,344,900 | 55 | 715,362 |
| 2021-22 (Injured) | 38,166,667 | 25 | 1,526,667 |
Anthony Davis Salary Per Game In 2023-24
In the 2023-24 season, Anthony Davis earns a base salary that translates to roughly 552,942 dollars per game over the 74 games he actually plays. This figure comes directly from his signed contract and represents the baseline pay without counting performance bonuses or add-ons. Teams plan their payrolls around this number, knowing that missing even a handful of games significantly alters per game averages and luxury tax calculations.
Because the Lakers are in a high tax jurisdiction, the true cost to the franchise is higher than his salary alone. Luxury tax penalties and benefits of taxpayer mid-level exceptions can shift how much the team can actually spend elsewhere while still keeping Davis on the roster at his current rate.
How Contract Extensions Impact Per Game Earnings
When an extension locks in a higher annual number, the per game rate typically rises, even if the player sees the same number of games. With Davis, his current deal was structured as a supermax extension, rewarding his elite level of play and versatility on both ends of the floor. Front offices analyze these contracts by smoothing the cost across expected seasons of service, balancing annual luxury tax thresholds against the desire to keep star power in one franchise.
Long term extensions also include player options and team options, which create uncertainty in the per game trajectory. Davis has already seen his earnings climb after opting into the extension, and any future options he exercises would further reset the per game baseline for upcoming seasons.
Injury Shortfalls And Per Game Averages
Injuries dramatically warp perceived per game earnings, as seen in the 2021-22 season where Davis appeared in only 25 contests. Though his salary for that year remained close to his full contract value, the per game calculation jumps to over 1.5 million dollars because the denominator shrinks so sharply. This illustrates why teams and media sometimes use per game numbers, as they can mask durability issues while highlighting the value of a healthy, available star.
When Davis misses time, the Lakers must manage minutes differently across the roster, which can affect overall team performance and future financial flexibility through trade windows and draft positioning.
Market Comparisons And Competitive Balance
Looking at Anthony Davis salary per game alongside other elite big men shows how the league rewards two way impact and rim protection. His rate sits near the top of the NBA, but it is still justified by the defensive switchability, scoring threats in the paint, and leadership he brings to a deep playoff contender. Teams budgeting around these per game rates must also factor in surrounding roster construction, such as guard play and wing depth.
Comparisons help fans and analysts see whether a given contract is market rich, market normal, or market poor, especially when viewed against similar players in age, skill set, and contractual timing.
Key Takeaways For Understanding Anthony Davis Salary Per Game
- His base salary translates to roughly 550,000 to 570,000 dollars per game in a healthy season.
- Injury shortfalls can dramatically increase the per game rate while keeping the annual salary unchanged.
- Luxury tax considerations and team payroll flexibility affect how teams manage these large contracts.
- Market comparisons show that his rate is among the highest for big men who also impact the defensive end.
- Player options and extensions can reset the per game baseline for future seasons.
FAQ
Reader questions
How much does Anthony Davis actually earn per game during a full season?
Based on his 2023-24 salary and a typical healthy schedule, he earns just over 550,000 dollars per game when he is active and the full 82 game season is completed.
Does Anthony Davis make more per game in the playoffs?
His salary is the same regardless of whether the games are regular season or playoff games, so his per game rate does not increase during the postseason.
What happens to his per game rate if he gets injured and plays far fewer games?
The annual salary stays the same, so his per game rate rises sharply because the same pay is divided by a much smaller number of appearances.
Are bonuses included in the salary per game calculations mentioned here?
No, the figures above reflect base salary only and do not include potential performance bonuses, which would push the effective per game pay even higher.