OKC Thunder More Willing To Pay Luxury Tax?

By Bryan Rose | Oct 25, 2014

May 3, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) slaps hands with forward Kevin Durant (35) after a play in action against the Memphis Grizzlies in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder could be more willing to pay into the NBA‘s luxury tax given the upcoming CBA.

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With Kevin Durant’s impending free agency come 2016 and some of the young talent on the Oklahoma City Thunder up for new contracts (like Reggie Jackson), general manager Sam Presti knows he’s going to have a struggle to keep his impressive roster intact.

Barring some big trades involving name players, the only way to do will likely be paying into the NBA’s luxury tax. So far that has been something the Thunder have decided against though with mounting costs, it may be needed.

That’s why Presti and the Thunder are more open to the idea than they’ve shown to be in the past.

"Not surprisingly, there are strong signs that Oklahoma City, which is about $1.8 million below this season’s tax threshold with its current payroll, is willing to delve into those taxpaying waters now that they’re not so deep."

With a new CBA (collective bargaining agreement) on the horizon, if the Oklahoma City Thunder do dip into the NBA’s luxury tax they won’t become a repeat offender (which draws heftier fines). More importantly they’ll also be able to potentially avoid paying into the luxury tax with the new CBA which is expected to rise the salary cap.

Of course all of this may not matter if Kevin Durant decides to skip town when he becomes a free agent, though for now the Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be a bit more open to the idea. Might that play a factor come the trade deadline, especially if the Thunder believe they need an additional talent for a push to the top of the Western Conference?

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