Houston Rockets: Tilman Fertitta’s latest stance on paying luxury tax
The Houston Rockets are poised to compete for this year’s NBA title as well as many succeeding years beyond this one. It’s going to take some extra spending to keep this successful core together but what does owner Tilman Feritta have to say about any increases in spending on salaries? Take a look.
The Houston Rockets are 44-13, owners of the best record in the NBA at the All-Star break, a feat that has never been completed in franchise history. It goes to show how special this team is and we can only hope that they’re standing triumphant when the dust settles in June. I can envision James Harden holding up the Larry O’Brien trophy proudly, boasting to onlookers about the incredible contributions this team has made. This is while he’s doing a slow roll atop of a Houston Fire Department fire truck in a parade-type setting down La Branch Street.
Now that I’ve divulged my vision to you, it’s going to take a lot to get to the mountaintop on a regular basis. Sweat, strain and grit can only get you so far but eventually those greenbacks are going to come in handy, especially if this franchise wants to compete for multiple championships.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has already expressed his desire to ensure this team is in position to be among the top dogs and he’s not shying away from dropping more than the $2.2 billion he paid for the franchise late last year.
However, Fertitta did sit down with Sam Amick of USA TODAY and gave one caveat about what dropping that extra cash:
"“The NBA is a tough business, No. 1,” Feritta said. “And you can go from making money to losing money very quickly. Everybody has to remember, I did pay $2.2 billion for this team. I didn’t pay $80 million for it, okay? And I’m not worth $20 billion (his reported wealth is $4.3 billion), but I have no problem paying luxury tax if I truly think that it truly gives me the chance to win the championship next year, okay? But believe it or not, we’re not in the luxury tax today and we truly have a chance to win the championship this year.”"
The best takeaway from this quote is that he’s going to take a wait-and-see approach in regard to if even a bump in spending is actually needed. With additions of Joe Johnson and Brandan Wright and the subtraction of Bobby Brown and Troy Williams, the team’s salary is now holding at $117.8 million, just $1.2 million away from hitting the luxury tax line.
Amick also talked with general manager Daryl Morey in regard to the possible spending increase:
"“We’ve talked through (the luxury tax). We’re going to be in the tax next year, and…nothing’s going to hold him back from putting together a championship team. He obviously has the money; he just paid the highest amount ever for a team.”"
With that being said, the Houston Rockets are more likely than not done with acquisitions for the
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remainder of the season as it’s widely-agreed that this team is as deep as it has ever been. This is notwithstanding the back-to-back championship teams and those fielded in mid-80s and late 90s.
But going into the off season, that’s when the game changes as the team could realistically be looking at re-signing Chris Paul, Clint Capela as well as Trevor Ariza coupled with a strong push for LeBron James in the mix. Acquiring the King won’t be an easy feat but it’s not impossible, especially for Morey.
It’s understood that somebody is going to have to take less money in order for the latter to happen but it’s a nice to dream how such a dream could become a reality. Hell, I was skeptical that the CP3 deal would get done and we now are blessed to see him do work out on the hardwood each and every night. So we can’t rule it out!
Next: Why the NBA desperately needs the Rockets
But all in all, I’m happy that the Rockets are insomuch relevant on the national stage and I couldn’t be prouder of all the incredible things that they’ve done this season. I’m positive the franchise is in good hands with Fertitta as the patriarch.
Go Rockets.