Luxury tax is going to be a big hit in two seasons. I see no way we are going to pay luxury tax then.
Utah was never going to be a team that went deep into the tax anyway, and they will be getting an extra 10 million a year in revenue sharing. The tax hit will be x1.5 up to 5 million over and x1.75 up to ten over. With the added revenue sharing, I don't think it really changes the way Utah looks at the tax. That is, I think they would be willing to go, say 5-8 million into it, if they're in a situation to contend for a title. The bigger issue involving the tax, is that teams are now much more handicapped in improving once they enter the tax. That means that GMs have to be a lot more strategic in building a team, because once they hit the tax, they're options become very limited. The great thing about this, however, is that the rich teams cannot just throw a ton of money into a team, and continue to build. The new CBA actually does do a lot to even the playing field, despite all the claims otherwise.
It's a straight forward question. We make the playoffs and we lose our pick. We miss the playoffs we get our pick. You are making it far too complicated.
I actually think he makes a point, though. Not that the question is flawed, but that my answer is more than just a yes or no.
The way the team has been playing, they actually do have a chance at getting as high as a 4 or 5 seed. That makes a big difference to me, as I'd gladly give up the pick for a decent chance at getting past the first round. However, getting eliminated in 4-5 games as 7th or 8th seed is completely overrated by fans, at least compared to the value of that pick in this draft. People get hung up on the idea of adding another rookie, and overlook the value of the pick as an asset in building the team. Like I explained above, GMs have to be more strategic with the new CBA in building a team to contend for a championship, and that extra asset would be valuable, and the sooner the better.