• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 7, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

The NBA Superteam Model Is Not Working

  • This was the first season in NBA history that the top two preseason Finals favorites did not at least reach the second round.
  • Injuries are the common denominator, but the lack of depth and flexibility meant none of the three could compete for long without their stars. 
Brooklyn Nets

On Monday, the Nets became the latest superteam to start their summer vacation early.

Brooklyn’s plan to trade draft picks for three stars — Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons (after James Harden’s expensive flop) — and pay them a combined 63% of the payroll resulted in a first-round sweep at the hands of the Celtics.

It looks to be an NBA-wide trend

In the West, the Lakers’ Big Three (LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook) accounted for 73.4% of the team’s salary, while the Clippers’ duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George ate up 48%. Both teams missed the postseason entirely.

  • Nets ($174.8M, 2nd in payroll): just seven playoff wins since Durant and Irving joined in 2019.
  • Clippers ($167.8M, 3rd): Leonard’s injured knee forced two consecutive early postseason exits before this season’s play-in elimination.
  • Lakers ($164.4M, 4th): missed the play-in and fired head coach Frank Vogel.

While injuries are the common denominator, the severe lack of depth and flexibility meant none of the three could compete for long without their stars. 

Meanwhile, teams with lower budgets — the Celtics ($138M), Heat ($140.8M), Suns ($136.5M), and Grizzlies ($117.3M) — have impressed by balancing star power and continuity.

The upshot: This was the first season in NBA history that the top two preseason Finals favorites (Nets +230; Lakers +425) did not at least reach the second round.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A DraftKings sign

A DraftKings Exec Left for Fanatics. Then the Bitter Legal Battle Began

Mike Hermalyn has been sidelined at Fanatics for nine months now.
opinion

Where Is the Dang Game? Fragmentation Has Hit Fever Pitch

A correction is coming in the increasingly confusing landscape of live sports.

MLB Gets the Shohei Ohtani Postseason Treatment. The Value Is Immense

The Japanese superstar finally makes his playoff debut Saturday.
The Cal mascot, Oski

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

FIFA Business Model Threatened; Inside IRONMAN Racing

0:00

Featured Today

Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.
Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
September 30, 2024

The Padres’ Future Is on the Line This Postseason

The MLB playoffs could determine the team’s path forward.
Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Barcelona midfielder Pau Victor (8) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second half of an international friendly against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium. V
September 29, 2024

FC Barcelona’s Overspending Triggered a Crisis. Has It Tightened Its Belt Enough?

The club is betting on their middle-road strategy to dig out.
Sep 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Nike shoes worn by Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell in the first half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
opinion
September 28, 2024

New Nike CEO Must Do It

The biggest task the new CEO faces is intangible: Refresh the brand.

Utah Hockey Club Debuting to Major Buzz

It’s been a wild ride for Salt Lake City’s new NHL franchise.
October 7, 2024

Aces’ Failed Three-Peat Bid Caps Chaotic Season

Las Vegas had won back-to-back championships under head coach Becky Hammon.
October 7, 2024

Hurricane Milton Forcing Florida Teams to Scramble As Storm Nears

The Tampa Bay area is at risk of getting hit by the Category 5 storm.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
October 7, 2024

A’s Expect Payroll to Increase, but Face Tough Sell in Sacramento

The low-spending MLB club looks to boost payroll.
October 4, 2024

Savannah Bananas Plan to Bring ‘Banana Ball’ to Football Stadiums

The popular independent baseball team features a ticket waiting list of about three million.
Soccer player Christen Press
October 4, 2024

Angel City FC Fined for Paying Players Under the Table

The club was fined $200,000 and had execs suspended.
October 3, 2024

Dolphins Owner Ross in Talks to Sell 10% Stake to Ares, 3% to Joe Tsai

The deal will have to go before the NFL finance committee and then team owners.