I don't think this article stresses enough that the Phoenix Suns have two players making approximately $24 million who will be off the payroll next season. That will make them one of the more financially responsible teams in the NBA. If they still had Marbury and Hardaway with this record it would be fair, but they don't.
Joe Mama
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=16280
Suns' payroll doesn't match poor record
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
ATLANTA - The Suns aren't getting enough bang for the buck.
The club ranks ninth in team payroll, according to a list of player salaries widely available around the NBA, but has only the 24th-best record at 16-29 heading into Monday night's games.
The teams that get the most for the least money are the San Antonio Spurs, who are 29-16 (tied for No. 4) while spending just $47.4 million (No. 23 out of 29 teams) and the Denver Nuggets, who have the second-lowest payroll at $36 million while enjoying a 26-20 record.
The teams doing the worst while spending the most — as they have in recent seasons — are the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers.
The Knicks spend $91.8 million while recording a 20-26 record, while the Trail Blazers are shelling out $86.6 million for a 17-24 record.
If the postseason had started Monday, the Blazers wouldn't have qualified, as they ranked second from the bottom in the West, ahead of only the Suns. The Knicks would have grabbed the No. 8 and final spot, percentage points ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Considering the NBA's luxury tax is expected to settle in somewhere near $55 million at season's end, the Knicks could be paying more than $36 million in taxes, while the Trail Blazers could be paying out $31 million. This money is distributed to the more frugal teams, as a way to encourage efficient spending and keep competitive balance in the league.
Last year, the Blazers had a record-setting payroll that topped $100 million.
Another team that hasn't spent well is the Hawks, the Suns' opponent tonight. They've spent $63.1 million (No. 7) but only have a 14-31 record.
As for the Suns, the heaviest contracts are carried by two players who see little time on the floor. Antonio McDyess, in the final year of his six-year contract, makes $13.5 million. Tom Gugliotta, also in the final season of his six-year deal, makes $11.7 million.
The Suns, however, have a number of bargain players who are operating on the rookie wage scale.
They include Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson, who both make $1.9 million, and Leandro Barbosa, who makes $809,000. When healthy, all three are starters.
Also, the improving Jake Voskuhl, who signed a three-year contract last summer, makes $1.6 million
Joe Mama
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=16280
Suns' payroll doesn't match poor record
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
ATLANTA - The Suns aren't getting enough bang for the buck.
The club ranks ninth in team payroll, according to a list of player salaries widely available around the NBA, but has only the 24th-best record at 16-29 heading into Monday night's games.
The teams that get the most for the least money are the San Antonio Spurs, who are 29-16 (tied for No. 4) while spending just $47.4 million (No. 23 out of 29 teams) and the Denver Nuggets, who have the second-lowest payroll at $36 million while enjoying a 26-20 record.
The teams doing the worst while spending the most — as they have in recent seasons — are the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers.
The Knicks spend $91.8 million while recording a 20-26 record, while the Trail Blazers are shelling out $86.6 million for a 17-24 record.
If the postseason had started Monday, the Blazers wouldn't have qualified, as they ranked second from the bottom in the West, ahead of only the Suns. The Knicks would have grabbed the No. 8 and final spot, percentage points ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Considering the NBA's luxury tax is expected to settle in somewhere near $55 million at season's end, the Knicks could be paying more than $36 million in taxes, while the Trail Blazers could be paying out $31 million. This money is distributed to the more frugal teams, as a way to encourage efficient spending and keep competitive balance in the league.
Last year, the Blazers had a record-setting payroll that topped $100 million.
Another team that hasn't spent well is the Hawks, the Suns' opponent tonight. They've spent $63.1 million (No. 7) but only have a 14-31 record.
As for the Suns, the heaviest contracts are carried by two players who see little time on the floor. Antonio McDyess, in the final year of his six-year contract, makes $13.5 million. Tom Gugliotta, also in the final season of his six-year deal, makes $11.7 million.
The Suns, however, have a number of bargain players who are operating on the rookie wage scale.
They include Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson, who both make $1.9 million, and Leandro Barbosa, who makes $809,000. When healthy, all three are starters.
Also, the improving Jake Voskuhl, who signed a three-year contract last summer, makes $1.6 million
