Don't think the Magic would do this, but that's not the point.
To all you guys wanting us to go after Vucevic: What happens with Vuc in the off-season? Do we pay him north of 20 million a year or do we let him walk? Cause if we pay him, the luxury tax is gonna explode through the roof (assuming Kyrie re-signs and Horford opts in).
It's a half season and a playoff run audition, if the Celtics play great. Than yes pay the taxes and pay the man.
Let's assume that
--> Semi + Rozier + Morris + Bird are all traded to Orlando
--> Vucevic's next contract starts at 25 million on year 1
--> Kyrie opts out and re-signs with the C's for the max
--> Horford, Baynes opt in
--> all the picks end up at where they are right now
- Grizlies at #7 (top 8 protected)
- Kings at #13
- Clips at #19
- Celtics at #23
--> the C's don't use the MLE
--> they fill up the remaining roster spots with vet minimum guys
Here's our payroll for 2019-20
1. Hayward $32,700,690
2. Kyrie $32,700,000 (cap projected to be $109 million, 8-year veteran --> 30% of the cap)
3. Horford $30,123,014
4. Vucevic $25,000,000
5. Smart $ 12,553,471
6. Tatum $ 7,830,000
7. Brown $ 6,534,829
8. Baynes $ 5,453,280
9. Yabu $ 3,117,240
10. Williams $ 1,937,520
11. Kings pick $3,635,520
12. Clips pick $2,686,440
13. Celtics pick $2,281,800
14. vet min $1,618,486
15. vet min $1,618,486
Jackson $ 92,858
SUM: $169,883,634
If projections hold, the luxury tax threshold in 2019-20 will fall at approximately $132 million.
$169,883,634 - $132,000,000 = $37,883,634 over the luxury tax threshold
For a non-repeater, the tax breaks down like this:
$7.5m for the first $5m over.
$8.75m for the next $5m.
$12.5m for the next $5m.
$16.25m for the next $5m.
$18.75m for the next $5m.
$21.25m for the next $5m.
$23.75m for the next $5m.
$26.25m for the next $5m.
$7,500,000 + $8,750,000 + $12,500,000 + $16,250,000 + $18,750,000 + $21,250,000 + $23,750,000 + $15,139,078.5 = $123,889,078.5
We are talking about ~$124 million in luxury tax!!!!
The total amount the Celtics have paid in luxury tax throughout their history is $47.3 million.
Are the owners gonna pay $124 million in luxury tax next year? Highly doubt it.