For most NBA teams, completing a number of transactions involving players are necessary in order to stay below the luxury tax line and save the money for future signings. However, for new Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, he does not mind paying extra, to increase the chances of his team to reach the Finals.
The 60-year-old billionaire made it known that he is willing to take a risk to compete for a championship. He then added, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN, that he is planning ahead for the Rockets, and wants moves to be done that will affect the team for years to come.
CNBC
“This is what was told to me by my experts that work here: If it’s going to take you to the Finals, then you should pay the luxury tax. And I totally agree. If you have to lose money to get to the Finals or win a championship, I think you do what you have to do because it’s going to come back to you.”
“Remember, I don’t look at things year to year. I don’t operate any of my businesses year to year. I look at everything long-term, so if it costs me money to win a few championships, I’m fine with that. But you don’t want to be in the luxury tax and not be getting to the Finals, so if you don’t have a team that can get to the Finals, you shouldn’t be paying the luxury tax.”
The Rockets will need to make a few tough decisions next year, as they are already tied up with over $76 million in the 2018-19 season to just five players. They may need to get creative in signing players that will compliment their starters, or hope that some will give them a discount to remain in their fold.
Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle
Tilman Fertitta’s statement definitely says a lot about his commitment to bring a lot of success to the city of Houston. It will also give Rockets fans more reason to be optimistic about their team’s future, even if they’ll face a lot of difficulty keeping their core intact starting next summer.
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