Which teams "need the money"?

[oldmanspeaks]

Which teams are in financial bad shape besides Phoenix and New Orleans? It is not how they relate to the salary cap. For instance, Cuban in Dallas doesn't really care nor do the Knicks and Lakers. The teams in trouble are your best potential trading partners. The Celtic's owners took on some serious debt but they seem willing to spend significantly over the cap. (much more than may be financially prudent).

So do the various posters know of other teams that are in bad financial shape and are looking to get rid of future salaries for expiring ones. Charlotte may or may not be one depending who buys Johnson out. Memphis is in a waiting mode. However i can't figure out some of the others. You hear about Denver having trouble but they did a qualifying offer for Kleiza.

So what have the other forum members heard?

[billysan]

Besides the teams you mentioned, one wonders about Minn/Char, Phil/NJ and the Heat. The first two because of combined rosters are obvious, but the Heat are not fielding a team. Some will say they dont because they dont have enough players, but it looks like they need to interview some new teammates for D Wade and it isnt happening, is it?

My gut opinion is that Charlotte is very vulnerable now. The fan base just seems unreliable to me. They just lost a team to NO and attendance has been an issue in recent years if memory serves.

[oldmanspeaks]

why did you say Phil? I understand NJ because of a potential new arena. However I would really like to know if Philly has money issues.

[JBcat]

I'm stealing this from a Bill Simmons article earlier this year.  These teams appear to be in some sort of financial trouble from what he says. 

You need a team with a dwindling fan base and/or bailing sponsors and suite/courtside customers. (I count 11: Indiana, Memphis, Milwaukee, Sacramento, New Jersey, New Orleans, Miami, Orlando, Minnesota, Charlotte and Philly.) You need a team trapped in an aging stadium that can't drum up local money for a new one. (I count three: Sacramento, Jersey and Milwaukee.) You need an owner who purchased his team because he was worth a ton of money ON PAPER … only now, he's worth significantly less and might even be worth $10 for all we know. (Consensus candidates for this list: Phoenix, Hijack City, Jersey, Memphis, Indiana, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Charlotte … and, surprisingly, Sacramento and Cleveland.)

[oldmanspeaks]

thanks for the simmons info. i had missed that article. tp for you

[JBcat]

thanks for the simmons info. i had missed that article. tp for you

no problem