• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

The NBA’s Highest-Spending Teams Are Struggling This Postseason

  • The Timberwolves just swept the Suns, who are paying the league’s third-highest luxury tax bill.
  • The Warriors, the top-paying tax team, lost in the play-in tournament.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Money can’t buy happiness, the age-old saying goes. And for some NBA teams, it couldn’t buy a win in the postseason, either.

The Timberwolves-Suns series was supposed to be a toss-up, at least according to most odds posted by sportsbooks ahead of the playoffs. But Minnesota swept Phoenix in four games, concluding with a 122–116 win Sunday, sending home the franchise paying the league’s third-highest estimated luxury-tax bill this season, $68.65 million, according to Spotrac.

Combined with the Suns’ $191.44 million payroll to compensate stars Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, team owner Mat Ishbia is shelling out a little more than $260 million for his club’s first-round exit. The Timberwolves, for comparison, have the NBA’s 12th-highest payroll at roughly $164 million, just under the tax threshold of $165.29 million.

Less Is More?

The Warriors will pay the most luxury tax this season, owing an estimated $176.88 million on top of a league-high $205.57 million payroll. But even with all that spending, Golden State was knocked out of the NBA play-in tournament by the Kings, who put together a roster with a payroll of roughly $150 million, 22nd in the league.

Coming in second in payroll ($200 million) and luxury tax ($142.4 million) were the Clippers, who are tied 2–2 with the Mavericks in their opening-round series. The Bucks, coming in fourth with a luxury tax bill of $51.96 million, will look to avoid elimination Tuesday night against the Pacers. Neither Dallas nor Indiana is paying a luxury tax.

Season of Giving

In total, the NBA’s eight teams over the luxury tax threshold this season will pay $525 million, and nearly half of it will be coming from teams without a postseason win. According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, 50% of that total tax figure could be sent in equal payments to the 22 nontax teams, and the other half could be used for other league purposes such as more revenue sharing. The Celtics ($39.75 million), Nuggets ($22.74 million), Heat ($15.25 million), and Lakers ($7.04 million) round out the teams paying a luxury tax this year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Breanna Stewart

WNBA Players Call League Proposal For Fixed Salary Cap Inadequate  

The league’s collective bargaining agreement expires in less than four months.
A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.
Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Dana White (left) during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.

UFC Confirms Talks to Bring Fight to White House Grounds

Discussions are underway to bring a UFC event to the White House grounds.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Nationals Hit Reset Button, Oust Rizzo and Martinez Before Draft

The MLB club made major leadership changes just days before the draft.
July 2, 2025

Rogers Takes Control of Canada’s Top Teams in MLSE Buyout

The Canadian media giant now has an arguably unrivaled sports portfolio.
July 6, 2025

Liverpool to Pay Diogo Jota’s $20M Contract to His Widow

Jota had two years remaining on his contract.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Myles Turner
July 1, 2025

Pacers Sour on Paying Luxury Tax and Let Myles Turner Walk

The team had seemed willing to cross the threshold for their center.
Manchester City
July 1, 2025

Manchester City Pockets $50 Million for Early Club World Cup Elimination

Saudi side Al-Hilal will bank at least $35 million in its quarterfinal run.
July 1, 2025

Bucks Shock NBA World By Waiving Lillard’s $113M Deal, Signing Turner

Damian Lillard had two years left on his deal.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
July 1, 2025

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.