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The NBA has a salary cap that prevents teams from spending too much, helping retain parity between franchises in small and big markets. For the 2021-22 NBA season, the salary cap is at $112.414 million and a tax level at $136.606 million.
Some teams will exceed the salary cap, which is why the tax level or luxury tax threshold is put in place. If a team exceeds the threshold, they have to pay a luxury tax bill worth millions.
Out of the thirty teams, only ten are entering the new NBA season with a luxury tax bill. Things could still change, as teams can manuever salaries via releases or trades. Teams are going to pay the luxury tax bill at the end of the season.
Nevertheless, here are the five teams with the largest tax bills entering the 2021-22 NBA season:
#5 Milwaukee Bucks - $41.5 million
The cost of winning an NBA championship is huge. The Milwaukee Bucks are entering the 2021-22 season as the champions, but they also have the fifth-largest tax bill at $41.5 million.
One of the reasons why the Bucks have a huge payroll is due to their three superstars signing max contracts. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have all signed long-term, meaning Milwaukee have a chance at an NBA championship in the next five years.
The Bucks are owned by multiple individuals and groups, including four majority owners. Currently, the team is valued at $1.9 billion, which makes them the 17th-most valuable NBA franchise.
#4 LA Lakers - $46.3 million
The LA Lakers are one of the biggest market teams in the NBA. They are multiple tax offenders since the luxury tax has been implemented, but it has been worth it due to the number of championships they have won.
Entering the 2021-22 NBA season, the Lakers have a luxury tax bill of $46.3 million. Most of their payroll is occupied by the salaries of LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. The trio has a combined salary of $120.8 million.
The LA Lakers' majority owner is the Buss Family, with Jeanie Buss serving as the team's controlling owner and team president. The Buss Family trust has a reported net worth of around $4 billion.
Also Check Out: Complete NBA TV Schedule for 2021-22 Season
#3 LA Clippers - $93.9 million
The LA Clippers are the NBA team with the third-largest luxury tax bill, which is almost $100 million. Currently owned by one of the richest people in the world, the Clippers are paying six players ten-digit yearly salaries.
The two highest-paid players for the Clippers are Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. With two of the best players in the world, the Clippers are in the hunt for their first-ever NBA championship.
The Clippers are owned by Steve Ballmer, who is currently ranked among the richest people in the world, with an almost $100 billion net worth. With that huge number of assets, Ballmer won't be affected too much by his team's luxury bill for the season.
#2 Brooklyn Nets - $110.4 million
The Brooklyn Nets are going all in on their quest to win the franchise's first-ever NBA championship. The Nets have a luxury tax bill of $110.4 million entering the new season.
The majority of the Nets' payroll is occupied by the salaries of their three superstars. James Harden is the team's highest-paid player, followed by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Sharpshooting guard Joe Harris comes in fourth with a ten-digit annual salary.
Businessman Joseph Tsai is the current owner of the Brooklyn Nets. He is among the richest NBA owners, with an estimated net worth of $9.8 billion.
#1 Golden State Warriors - $159.9 million
The Golden State Warriors have the largest luxury tax bill entering the 2021-22 NBA season. The Warriors' current tax bill is at $159.9 million. The reason why Golden State have a high payroll is because they have four max-contract players on their roster.
Stephen Curry is the highest-paid player in the NBA today, at $45.7 million. Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green round out the four highest-paid Warriors players. The Warriors have been repeat offenders, but they have won three championships since 2015.
The majority owner of the Golden State Warriors is Joe Lacob, who has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. As a franchise, the Warriors are the second-most valuable NBA team, behind the New York Knicks. The Warriors are valued at $5.6 billion.
Guess the Lakers players!
