NBA Commissioner David Stern spoke during a news conference on Thursday in advance of the NBA Finals, USA Today reports. Stern called the Miami Heat "a team for the ages," but all good things must come to an end. The luxury tax, which increases during the next two years, could spell the end for the Miami Heat's Big Three.
Miami has expressed an intent to keep their trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh together in the summer of 2014, when the three All-Stars can opt out of their contracts and become free agents. Even if the Big Three decided to stay in Miami, the impending luxury tax might make it impossible.
NBA.com's Hang Time Blog reports that if the Big Three re-signed in 2014, just the three of them would combine for "more than $60 million of the roster, already putting the Heat at or close to the salary cap, and about $10 to $13 million short of the luxury tax."
Fielding a competive team that includes James, Wade and Bosh will likely be too expensive.
"As a repeat taxpayer, the Heat will be facing the highest incremental tax rates in NBA history," Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen wrote. "If, for example, the luxury-tax threshold is established at $75 million -- a highly optimistic gain of roughly $5 million from this season -- the Heat could be faced with a tax bill approaching $48 million. In total, they would be paying $141.3 million for 12 players."
Thomsen quoted a rival general manager as saying, "They're going to have to break up their team (because of the costs)."
The potential Heat dynasty might have only two more seasons to pursue titles if owner Mickey Arison can't get creative with the roster.
As bad as the luxury tax might sound, Stern told reporters that it could have been a lot worse if the 29 other owners had their way.
"I know the Heat have done a great job. They've put together a great roster," he said. "It has consequences that they are now dealing with, and actually they're much less harsh than the consequences that would have followed had we gotten what we really wanted in collective bargaining. ... I think we were more than compassionate."
Stern retires from his post in February. He served as the NBA commissioner since 1984. Deputy commissioner Adam Silver will take over.
For a detailed breakdown of the NBA's luxury tax, click here.