First, we have these maxes (none is called “supermax” though many frequently confusedly and mistakenly call some of these a “supermax”):

● ≤6 years’ experience: 25% of cap

● 7–9: 30%

● ≥10: 35%

Next, the only “supermax” is the “Designated Veteran Player Extension” (DVPE) (informally called the “Kevin Durant rule” after he left OKC in 2016 and they instituted this rule in 2017): 35% of cap for 8th and 9th year players that meet certain All-NBA/MVP/DPOY requirements AND were drafted by current team (so if you’re traded from your original team, you no longer qualify for this). We call this a *super*max because it goes over the 30% max (for 8th and 9th year players).

So,

Luka can NO longer qualify for supermax (he’s no longer with the team that drafted him).
Luka will soon be qualifying for the 35% max in 2027–28 simply by reaching his 10th year. (To repeat, this is NOT called a “supermax”.) And, he doesn’t need to stay with the Lakers to get this max. He can get it anywhere.

I posted this thread because I saw some confusion at the “Potential Suitor(s) for Luka if he wants out of LA in Near Future”: One comment claimed that Luka wouldn’t leave the Lakers because he doesn’t want to pass on a supermax. But this claim is doubly false because of points 1 and 2 above.

(Please let me know if I’ve made any errors.)

sunshinebusride | DAL

48 | 2 hours ago

he can get it anywhere

Dallas need playmaking

jaskaran55 | Spurs

6 | an hour ago

Unironically I could see him going to mavs in 2028 playing with Flagg and friends that’s gonna be his only chance at winning anything like mvp/ring

decadentrebel | Mavericks

4 | 39 minutes ago

I wasn’t so sure about the “friends” part and I checked who else was under contract in 2028 besides Coop: PJ, Gaff, Naji, Morez, and Serge.

After getting Luka they would also have roughly 34m in cap left — but that probably isn’t available by then since their rookies between 2027-28 are eating that and by extending Christie, Lively, and/or Risacher. Once they become a first apron team they can then re-sign Kai to a full MLE, assuming he’s still good at 36.

That’s a good core for him. Best he’s had ever.

sunshinebusride | DAL

1 | 27 minutes ago

I mean I was joking but fuck yeah, love the energy let’s go

mindinthepsandqs | Pistons

3 | an hour ago

Magnefic 🤌

mkpanq | Heat

21 | 2 hours ago

I came from the F1 subreddit and at the first sight I thought we’re discussing Max Verstappen’s new contract with Red Bull lol

Robcobes

6 | an hour ago

https://youtu.be/43HCYSXZ9GI?si=hr4I4zFqB9EADCQC

Max Max Max super Max Max Max

Quadriporticus | DAL

2 | an hour ago

Oh I thought the passion was gone and that he would retire? /s

Villiers_S

1 | an hour ago

“Tu-tu-du-du, Max Verstappen!”

chandler2020 | Lakers

13 | an hour ago

The Lakers can offer more years and larger raises under the CBA.

LoveTheHustleBud

2 | an hour ago

Beat me to it. Locking in that 5th year and those raises as he enters his year 30 season in 2 years is a safe bet after all the money getting traded has cost him.

Financial_Pay_6687

1 | 34 minutes ago

I think normally this 4th-5th year thing is massively overstated because you can work this out in other ways to get almost the same amount and Luka would likely be making a similar amount in that fifth year.

But considering Luka’s situation, maybe he takes the simplest path forward to the most money possible.

LoveTheHustleBud

1 | 32 minutes ago

The other ways is leaving on a shorter deal (3 years) and then signing a new contract at x% of the then salary cap.

Luka just got burned from a supermax, does he trust a FO to not do that to him when he’s 33?

Financial_Pay_6687

1 | 25 minutes ago

I don’t know if Luka trusts a FO so much as he might trust his own value and ability to demand that contract. He could do the Lebron, player option power play if he really wanted to assure himself.

But if he wants out, I’m guessing it’s some type of trade and he’s not really losing money anyway. That’s the most likely case rather than him leaving in free agency (I would love to see someone value freedom of destination and ability to join without raiding the trade cupboard more).

LoveTheHustleBud

1 | 19 minutes ago

I think the lebron route worked for lebron because lebron is lebron. Idk how many players should bet on them not only not getting hurt, but simply not declining as they age.

Definitely maximize each cap jump that way though

Financial_Pay_6687

1 | 13 minutes ago

I think what players should be learning is that they probably are going to get paid anyway regardless of age or injury in this range when they’re at this level. Jokic would still get the max if he declined or got hurt. Kevin Durant has been paid since his Achilles as was Thompson after his ACL injury. The latter was a much lower status player.

But yeah, a trade is more likely with how players have treated this. I would still bet the Lakers as favorites to keep him. I expect whoever is in charge there to treat Luka the way the Lakers treated Kobe or Lebron. Think that’s one legit advantage they have.

sunshinebusride | DAL

1 | 26 minutes ago

Yeah but everyone in LA has that weird smell

Guardsred70 | Lakers

1 | 22 minutes ago

Exactly. 5 years with 8% raises is better than 4 years with 5% raises.

I dunno why everyone is so into players forcing their way out. It’s just impractical under this CBA…..and that’s unlikely to change as long as it’s billionaire owners negotiating with players who barely went to college (and seem unwilling to do a work stoppage).

Torrion-

10 | 2 hours ago

If everything is measured against the cap, and cap circumvention without consequence is the status quo, how does any of this matter?

SnooChipmunks4208

2 | an hour ago

Supermax is 35%. Thank you for your attention.

Financial_Pay_6687

1 | 24 minutes ago

Can you explain what this means in relation to OP? Seems like you guys are saying the same thing. Or maybe this is tldr of what he said.

OceanLemur | Heat

2 | an hour ago

God seeing this max-contract shit written out really shows how stupid the current CBA is. Guys can’t hit free agency until year 10(!) unless they leave $70 million on the table. Yeeeesh. As long as that’s the case teams will never stop tanking, the payoff is too good.

LoveTheHustleBud

1 | an hour ago

Lotto reform

OceanLemur | Heat

1 | 18 minutes ago

Won’t matter. If the reward is 10 years of control (or a kings ransom if/when the star forces a frade) then it’s always going to be worth tanking.

LoveTheHustleBud

1 | 15 minutes ago

The 3 worst teams this coming year have 3% LESS chance at the top pick than other non playoff teams.

It absolutely matters with this 3-2-1 format they just rolled out.

Financial_Pay_6687

1 | 30 minutes ago

Stupid as in stupid successful. Your value is restricted while you’re in your prime years and then you can theoretically make the most money when you’re not worth it anymore.

Lamelife28

1 | an hour ago

He can just sign a vet minimum ang get the rest of the max outside like kawhi 😆

aikon012 | Lakers

1 | 32 minutes ago

Luka can plant trees in Slovenia with the right ASPIRATIONS. Adam Silver has unlocked the doorway to all types of trees being planted.

Wrsj | Knicks

1 | 26 minutes ago

Years ago a dude with a Toronto Raptors flair posted a detailed summary of various types of contract. I forgot to save the post and never found it again it was great for knowledge about the rules.

He putted it in a great way of reading, it was like:

Derrick Rose Rule: blablabla
Max rookie scale contract: blablabla

And on and on…

I tried to find something similar on google but I just find messy guides.

GrenScrin [OP]

1 | 8 minutes ago

I tried to find something similar on google but I just find messy guides.

Yea same here (which is why I thought it worthwhile to write the above).

The Wikipedia page “NBA salary cap” is decent, but has too much irrelevant and outdated information (like who signed the supermax back in 2017; it also seems to be generally stuck in 2017).

Prior-Habit-6523 | Lakers

1 | 13 minutes ago

Why would he want out of arguably the most valuable franchise in all of sports domestic and international?

pacifismisevil | Grizzlies

1 | 12 minutes ago

AND were drafted by current team (so if you’re traded from your original team, you no longer qualify for this).

Isnt it you had to play for the team under your rookie contract i.e. first 4 years? SGA couldnt get a supermax according to you, but he currently has one.

Supermax vs max: Clearing up some common confusion (Luka can no longer get the supermax)