It is hard to imagine that in almost three months the Lakers season opener will be taking place against the Dallas Mavericks on October 30th. This seems surprising as the team still has a number of logistical kinks to figure out.
The Lakers paid $12,557,264 in tax money last season, the most of any NBA franchise. No word yet on the amount they will have to pay this year, but with the CBA cracking down on over spending, money may not be the only issue anymore for Los Angeles. For the 2012-13 season, the luxury tax penalty of $1 for every dollar over the tax line will remain the same. But a new rule has made the game of acquiring and moving players even harder. In addition, teams over the luxury tax line are ineligible to acquire players in sign-and-trade deals, while clubs that exceed the tax threshold for the 2013-14 season will pay an incremental rate based on team salary. Essentially, any move the Lakers do now could greatly affect their playing ability in the coming years.
With Kobe taking about half of the salary allowance, and with the signing of Steve Nash, the Lakers are tight on their finances and will most likely go over the cap again this year. Not only could they cripple their sign-and-trade deals in two seasons, but with the increased financial penalties, the Lakers may not make a profit. Over time, a consistent pattern of financial neglect could destroy a franchise. The Lakers better be careful.
Dwight Howard put his foot down and decided to meet with the Magic GM in L.A. about his trade demands: an immediate trade to the Lakers, a January trade to the Brooklyn Nets or a clean break at the end of the 2012-13 season. I am sure Jim Buss is waiting like a 6-year-old kid on Christmas Eve to see if the Magic take the bait. So far, nothing has happened. But Hurricane Howard has made it very clear that he will not return to Orlando next year, nor ever play for them again. The drama continues, keeping us fans all on our toes to see if L.A. will have it’s very own three-star Laker nucleus next season. Till then, we wait…
Lakers Nation News
Kobe Bryant Says He’s the Instigator of Trash Talking
Andrew Bynum’s Agent Says there’s No List of Preferred Teams for Bynum
Antawn Jamison Talks Nash & Kobe
Lakers Open Season Against Mavericks, Will Play Christmas Day
Steve Blake’s Role with the Lakers in the Upcoming Season
Lakers Likely To Face Serious Financial Problems With New CBA
Dwight Howard Sticks By Trade Demand
Dwight Howard Open to Immediate Trade to Lakers
Lakers News
Lakers Countdown: At #10… [Forum Blue and Gold]
Ice Cube Questions Commitment From Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard [LA Times]
For Lakers, Jamison’s Hunger Joins Nash’s Hope [OC Register]
Adam Morrison: Pay The Man [Clips Nation]
SPL, Christian Eyenga and The Backup 2-Guard [ESPN]
Kobe Bryant Lost 16 pounds for the Olympics and Upcoming Season [CBS Sports]
Antawn Jamison Takes Paycut in Hopes to Win Title With Lakers – [LA Times]
The Los Angeles Lakers Are Exciting Again. Just Ask Dwight Howard [Silver Screen and Roll]
Dwight Howard Talks Stall; Is Andrew Bynum Here to Stay? [Lakers Blog]
Help Steve Nash Help You [Forum Blue and Gold]
Mitch Kupchak Doesn’t See Andrew Bynum Extension as Imminent [LA Times]
NBA News
Five Things to Take From Team USA’s 100-78 Win Over Spain [LA Times]
Four Finalists for Blazers Coaching Job [SI.com]
All Jerome Randle Can Say [Hardwood Paroxysm]
Mavericks Sign Second-Round Pick Bernard James [NBA]
Way to Stay Classy Shaq: Twitter Gone Wrong [Yahoo Sports]
Minnesota’s Strange Offseason Results in the Team’s Signing of Andrei Kirilenko [Ball Don’t Lie]
Team USA Favored to Win Men’s Basketball Tournament [SI.com]
Kevin Love Wins “Best Team Sleeping Photo” Ever Award [Pro Basketball Talk]
Spaniards Chime In On Dream Team [Hang Time Blog]
Indelible Infirmity: Free Agency [Hardwood Paroxysm]
Magic Johnson Auctioning Off Lakers Tickets, Dinner Invitations [LA Times]
