Fertitta strongly pushed back on the idea he sought deals last season to get out of paying a luxury taxNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta said that he "would not hesitate to spend into luxury tax territory, insisting again not just that he was willing last season, but that it can be a wise business expense," according to Jonathan Feigen of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Every member of the Rockets' starting lineup is under contract, deals that "push the Rockets past the salary cap with just those five players" alone. Fertitta "offered no specifics about what he has in mind," but he "indicated that 'run it back' is not a mindset heading into his second offseason" as owner. Fertitta "strongly pushed back on the notion that he sought deals last season to get the Rockets out of paying a luxury tax." He said that he "never considered that an option and that he would always authorize spending that improves the roster." Fertitta "considered the question about paying a tax irrelevant, considering it good business with returns that can exceed costs." Fertitta: “I’m not going to let a few million dollars (determine decisions). ... If we go to the Western Conference finals, it’s worth $10 to $15 million to us. I’m not worried about the luxury tax" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/17).
