San Antonio Spurs: They had $71.3 million committed to just nine players – and now they are reportedly going to add Antonio McDyess.
Dallas Mavericks: $72.1 million to 10 players – and that's before the contracts for Jason Kidd, first round pick Roddy Beaubois, and possibly Marcin Gortat. If they Mavs take on salary in an acquisition of Shawn Marion, this number could be very, very large.
Denver Nuggets: $72.1 million to just eight players – add in the agreed upon deal with Chris Andersen (details below) and this could hurt.
Utah Jazz: $72.3 million to 10 players – and that's before they have to deal with whatever the contract is for restricted free agent Paul Millsap. The Jazz stand to be far below the cap in 2010 – will they pay a much higher tax for a season to keep Millsap? Or did Carlos Boozer's decision to stay in Utah another year make it prohibitive?
Boston Celtics: $73.8 million to 11 players – and add in Rasheed Wallace's MLE contract to that number. The MLE for Sheed is a good price – but is the $11 million cost?
Phoenix Suns: $75.4 million to 11 players – with an owner hemorrhaging money it's no wonder they want to cut costs, but will it mean a fire sale for Phoenix? Will they still be willing to extend Steve Nash?
Washington Wizards: $76.2 million to 13 players – the Wizards feel they have a conference title contender, which they will have to be to justify the price.
L.A. Lakers: $76.8 million to 11 players – this doesn't include the over $7 million they have Shannon Brown and Ron Artest on the books for in 2009-10 either. Add that in, plus whatever the cost of Lamar Odom
may be, and the Lakers will easily top $90 million in salary.
New Orleans Hornets: $76.8 million to 11 players – the Hornets are in a similar boat as the Suns – can they justify this kind of a payroll?
The Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Miami HEAT are right at that luxury tax number for 2009-10 – so it shouldn't necessarily be a surprise all three teams have been very conservative so far, regardless of what Magic GM Otis Smith says.
The Cleveland Cavaliers – currently with $67.5 million committed to 10 players – are a team that will likely be in luxury tax territory when all is said and done. The Houston Rockets are very close now with the addition of Trevor Ariza.
