With the Heat's payroll currently at $88M for the '13-14 season after re-signing F Chris Anderson to a one-year, $1.7M deal, the franchise would have to "write a tax check to the league of $33.6 million at season's end,” according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. The Heat are $16M over the $71,748,000 luxury-tax threshold set Tuesday by the NBA and under the league’s “new formula that goes into effect starting this coming season." To put that ‘13-14 “tax figure into perspective,” ShamSports.com data shows that the Heat, over their history, have “previously paid a total of $36 million in tax payments, including $13.3 million on last season's championship roster” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/11). In Miami, Barry Jackson notes using the amnesty provision on F Mike Miller “would save at least $17 million.” Heat President Pat Riley said that he was “disinclined to use the amnesty provision on Miller unless owner Micky Arison mandated him to do so” (MIAMI HERALD, 7/11).
PAY UP: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde writes there is "no inkling" Arison "won’t pony up $33 million in luxury tax to keep his championship team together." Heat Fs LeBron James and Chris Bosh took $15M "less than they could have to sign" with the Heat, and G Dwyane Wade took $17M "less than he could have to re-sign." Hyde: "The point is, everyone has sacrificed something for this run. Arison has profited nicely from having the best show in American sports right now. ... There shouldn't be room for cheap here." Arison has been "a model owner." He made sure "everything was in place for a first-class team and he doesn't meddle in the basketball work." This will be "his lastest test" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 7/11).
