2013-14 1. Brooklyn Nets .......... $102,816,531 Lost in 2nd round 2. New York Knicks ........ $88,158,750 Missed playoffs 2012-13 1. Los Angeles Lakers ..... $99,953,801 Lost in 1st round 2. Brooklyn Nets .......... $83,042,384 Lost in 1st round 2011-12 1. Los Angeles Lakers ..... $87,392,955 Lost in 2nd round 2. Phoenix Suns ........... $79,943,742 missed playoffs 2010-11 1. Los Angeles Lakers ..... $90,432,556 Lost in 2nd round 2. Orlando Magic .......... $90,395,938 Lost in 1st round
Wow, you don't get it. You don't have to pay the tax the year you win it. Willingness to pay the tax repeatedly won how many championships for the Lakers? It's a good indication the team is at least trying to win.
Oh c'mon. You want a lot more than simply a good indication that the Bulls are at least trying to win. It's a good indication that Bulls management is "at least trying to win" every time the team has used a salary cap exception rather than pocketing the money...but that's not enough for you, is it? Only you can define what constitutes "at least trying to win." And you can change the definition as needed ("They'll never pay the tax"). So we go round and round.
Willingness to be a high payroll team across multiple seasons by an organization (Lakers, Mavs, Celtics, Spurs, Heat) is something that almost all of the NBA Champions during the tax era have in common. The Bulls are not in that club. Not from a payroll perspective and certainly from a championships perspective.
The Lakers failed to pay the luxury tax twice since 2002-03. They were defending 3-time champs when the tax started. Since then, they've won two championships and appeared in two more finals. San Antonio paid the luxury tax five times since 2002-03. They've won 4 finals and appeared in another. The pistons won the championship once since 2002-03. They paid the tax that season (2003-2004). The Celtics paid the tax 7 times and won a championship and lost in the finals once. The Heat paid the tax six times since 2002-03. They won 3 championships and lost in the finals twice. Dallas nine times since 2002-03. They won a championship and lost in the finals once. Only the Heat, once, and the Spurs, once, have won a championship without paying the tax that season. Not a single team that never paid the tax has won a championship since 2002-03.
Love may be requesting trade to Cavaliers Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love is perhaps adding a new twist to recent trade talks by indicating he wants to be dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Multiple league sources told FOX Sports Ohio on Friday they are under the impression Love has relayed his desire for a trade to Cleveland to his agent. Love is represented by Jeff Schwartz. Sources could not say for certain whether Love or Schwartz have made a formal trade request to the Timberwolves. Most believe if such a request is made, the Cavs will be able to obtain Love at a considerably cheaper cost than what is being discussed by the teams. The Cavs and Timberwolves have reportedly talked about a deal that would send Love to Cleveland and team him with fellow All-Stars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Sources have said Cavs rookie Andrew Wiggins has been a sticking point in the talks, as the Cavs are hesitant to surrender the No. 1 overall draft pick. It is believed the Timberwolves have indicated they won't trade Love unless they receive Wiggins as part of a package in return. Officials from the Cavs and Timberwolves have refused comment on the talks. - See more at: http://www.foxsports.com/ohio/story...equesting-trade-to-cleveland-cavaliers-072614
Timberwolves and Love: If you are looking for closure on the Minnesota Timberwolves and Kevin Love you better pull up a chair, because it’s going to be awhile. There is zero urgency on the part of the Minnesota Timberwolves to make a deal. That does not mean they won’t agree to something, but what’s coming out of the process is that while Wolves’ president Flip Saunders and company have their favorites in the various proposals being talked about, they are still playing the bidding game with prospective teams. Sources close to Love have said they were urging people to dial back the “Cleveland or else” message and that while Love seems open to all three of the situations being seriously considered – Cleveland, Golden State and Chicago, he is not willing to commit long-term to any of them as a first action. The ideal action is to hit free agency in July and ink a new long-term deal. The team that trades for him can give him the biggest financial package since they will have his Bird rights. The Wolves, for their part, are weighing two concepts: The future, which a Cleveland package that includes Andrew Wiggins would win that argument hands down and the present, which a Chicago or Golden State offer that includes Warriors guard Klay Thompson or Bulls forward Taj Gibson would likely win out. It has been ten seasons since the Wolves made the postseason and there is a real desire on the part of ownership and management to compete for a playoff berth this year, hence why a deal with Cleveland hasn’t been consummated. The question for the Wolves is would they genuinely be a postseason contender adding players like Gibson and Doug McDermott or David Lee and Thompson to the roster, and the answer is maybe. However, if the Wolves bet on the future potential of Wiggins, they would surely be stepping backwards and conceding a rebuild, that is the crux of the debate for the Wolves. The Bulls are reported to have put a deadline on their offer, as they do not want this discussions dragging into training camp, so at least on one front there is a sense of urgency. However, until all the teams involved put the Wolves on the clock, there doesn’t seem to be closure coming, at least not in the immediate future. Read more at http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-bledsoe-monroe-and-love/#kK777zQ1C2PhPLmb.99
Re: Love may be requesting trade to Cavaliers If he really, really wants to go to Cleveland that bad, he is able to opt out of his contract next summer and become a free agent. The Cavs can make sure they have the cap space to sign him next summer. Or they can give the Wolves what they ask for in a trade. Why would Love requesting a trade allow the Cavs to get him "at a considerable cheaper cost"? Minnesota would be better off playing another season with Love and hoping that they improve and make the playoffs and convince him to stay, rather than give him away for nothing.
Re: Love may be requesting trade to Cavaliers I am now reading, that Love wants the 30% pay raise that Minny would give him on a new contract next season! Word is he will not resign with GS, Bulls, or Cleveland because of that. Yet he wants to play for those 3 teams for one year.
Re: Love may be requesting trade to Cavaliers Ralphb07 wrote: Philadelphia is willing to take Waiters and Bennett, Bulls aren't and want Thompson. Philly if they take on Martin want picks while the Bulls were willing to give them. It's what I said yesterday, other than Wiggins, minny doesn't like what else Cleveland has. http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1337657&start=1240
Re: Love may be requesting trade to Cavaliers The Bulls either want Love or make sure Cleveland gives up as much as possible. Minny IMO wants Gibson and Wiggins which is why I think Cleveland and Love is more likely. The Bulls would swap Gibson for Waiters and Thompson in a heart beat. Also willing to take on Martin and sending out others, picks to make it work. Cleveland knows Bennett sucks and is trying to push him instead Ralphb07 again Same thread. My words: Some of the hold up could be that Cleveland does not want to improve us while getting Love for them. I love the fact that we became involved in the acquiring of Love! Whether we get him or not, we make it harder for Cleveland to get him.
