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It costs $$$ to be relevant...

The Midnight

The Midnight

#Baby_Talk
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It costs $$$ to be a contending team in the NBA ....


Alex Kennedy ‏@AlexKennedyNBA 19m19 minutes ago
Seven teams paid luxury tax: CLE ($54 mil), LAC ($19.9 mil), GSW ($14.8 mil), OKC ($14.5 mil), SAS ($4.9 mil), HOU ($4.9 mil, CHI ($4.2 mil)
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When we are 'relevant' again which is going to be soon (knock wood), let's hope our owners are ready to open their wallets, because let's look at OKC for example, they haven't actually won anything yet, but they are paying $14.5million in luxury tax this year to stay competitive.


Not to mention the Cavs paying a hefty bill of $54million to win it all. (and they nearly didn't)


I guess that is the reality for a small market team wanting to compete?
 
ONE LOVE said:
It costs $$$ to be a contending team in the NBA ....





When we are 'relevant' again which is going to be soon (knock wood), let's hope our owners are ready to open their wallets, because let's look at OKC for example, they haven't actually won anything yet, but they are paying $14.5million in luxury tax this year to stay competitive.


Not to mention the Cavs paying a hefty bill of $54million to win it all. (and they nearly didn't)


I guess that is the reality for a small market team wanting to compete?
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So the irony is half the luxury tax teams were serious contenders. Houston, Chicago and the Clippers were just deluding themselves.
 
My guess is they'll do it only if they truly believe they need one more piece at a legit shot at a chip.
I don't think they do it just to get better or closer to simply contending.
 
Qman said:
So the irony is half the luxury tax teams were serious contenders. Houston, Chicago and the Clippers were just deluding themselves.
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Clippers' luck ran out when Chris Paul hurt this thumb IIRC ... or else I think they would have been more competitive also.
 
Dr. Jones said:
My guess is they'll do it only if they truly believe they need one more piece at a legit shot at a chip.
I don't think they do it just to get better or closer to simply contending.
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Yes, but with OKC and the Clippers, ... you don't go to the Finals with your first try, and even if you think you can get there (like they both do this year PLUS the Spurs too), there's still no guarantees ....


I think what this saids is, you need to be prepared to pay tax multiple years when you're AT THAT LEVEL.
 
Well, then maybe I'd say they wouldn't be willing to do that... if that's the parameters you've set for the question.

I'd say with some nice moves and some good luck we get damn close, then yes. But I don't see the Jazz ownership building a team on money... and I can't say I'd blame them.
 
ONE LOVE said:
Clippers' luck ran out when Chris Paul hurt this thumb IIRC ... or else I think they would have been more competitive also.
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So, The clippers got the 4th seed while paying the luxury tax and an injury diminish their chances despite paying the luxury tax. While at the same time, the Jazz with one of the youngest teams and lowest salaries in the league were in contention for the 5th seed up until the last week of the playoffs despite being without their starting point guard for the entire season and missing 4 of their top 6 players for significant portions of the season. In the east the 3 seed had 48 wins. That will be a disappointment to me for the Jazz this year. The 3 seed in the west was OKC 55 and the Clips were the 4 seed with 53. Despite being below the league minimum salary, the Jazz will be fighting these teams for positions this year. I am expecting 50 to 55 wins this year. OKC is significantly different and the clippers have lost a lot of their depth. Instead of fighting for 6 to 8 I expect the Jazz to be fighting for 3 to 5. We are also far better set to absorb injuries this year. Wise spending and good management is a far better correlation than just spending.
 
They are contenders because they have top end talent. U have to pay to keep your talent. This is where the Jazz will be with Hayward favors hood Exum and lyles and others. We probably can't keep everyone, but unless we want to do another rebuild we will be in this category before too long.
 
They are spending 100 million on their stadium. When they have a team that shows it can contend they will do it. It's an investment in their brand.
 
If you really think about it, $15M isn't that much money for these franchises. Hell if teams are willing to pay role players/scrubs like Batum/Barnes/Solomon Hill/Mozgov/Turner/Noah/Rivers a combined half-BILLION dollars....what the hell is $15M. That's chump change.
 
To add on to One Love's thought, it will be even more expensive for a non superstar team trying to contend. All the teams he mentioned have superstars out earning their contracts, we will have no one after Favors current deal is over.
 
Deep playoff runs bring in a lot of money. I think the issue for the average owner is keeping the franchise profitable. At the end of the day, if you are the owner of a top team, paying the luxury tax may be worth it... at least for a while. I know that Larry Miller was averse to paying the tax, but the league income keeps growing - as do teams profits, one supposes.
 
Jazz4ever said:
To add on to One Love's thought, it will be even more expensive for a non superstar team trying to contend. All the teams he mentioned have superstars out earning their contracts, we will have no one after Favors current deal is over.
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This.
 
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