ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst cited sources as saying that the Nets "will pay a record" $90.57M in luxury taxes for the '13-14 season. Only three other teams "had paid more" than $90M in total taxes since the rule's inception in '01. Overall there "were five luxury tax players." The Knicks ($36.3M); the Heat ($14.4M); the Lakers ($8.9M); and the Clippers ($1.3M) "also paid into a pool." Each non-paying team "will receive" $3M as part of the dispersal (ESPN.com, 7/9).
KINGS MUST RULE FAIRLY: A SACRAMENTO BEE editorial states the Kings in building their new arena "must not close the door on loyal fans who can’t afford VIP treatment." While the Kings said that they "have made no final decisions on ticket prices, team President Chris Granger pledges that some inexpensive tickets will be available and that fans shouldn’t fear a 'massive' price hike." Team execs said that they are "committed to making tickets accessible to a broad range of fans." The Kings "need to keep that commitment -- and city leaders must do what they can to hold them to it" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/10).
SIXERS AND SEVENS: In Philadelphia, Tyler Tynes notes TNT's Shaquille O'Neal, who yesterday was part of a panel at the Reebok Classic Breakout at Philadelphia Univ., "talked confidently about the Sixers' rebuilding plan and the foundation" GM Sam Hinkie has set in place. O'Neal said, "They're on the right track, but they are two big pieces away or three to four nice pieces away." He added that not every NBA team "is immediately successful and that it takes time to build a winning franchise" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 7/10).
