Off-season time is money-spending time! In the last few weeks, several franchises have put out new and extensive multi-million-dollar deals to players. Star athletes who shone by getting themselves named on the All-NBA Team are receiving max extensions, like Jayson Tatum. All of this, however, is pushing the franchises to the brim in terms of salary expenditure, bringing them closer to penalties. Now with everything said and done, the Phoenix Suns, under billionaire owner Mat Ishbia, are set to incur the biggest one of them all.

The franchise has now gone way beyond the ‘Second Apron’ limit by taking their total salary exp. for the next season to $223 million! As a result, they will pay about $198 million in tax. With this, the Suns create history becoming the 1st NBA side to spend over $400 million on their current roster. A recent update suggests that Josh Okogie is being signed on a two-year, $16 million deal (2nd-year non-guaranteed). This gives him a substantial raise as his previous deal only gave him $5.77 million.

So, having already crossed way beyond the second apron, a possible trade of Okogie in the next year would give the Phoniex side some financial relief. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) guidelines went into effect from July 2023 onwards. Since the Suns have gone $58 million above the luxury tax limit and $40.2 million above the 2nd Apron, not only will they pay triple for every dollar they’ve spent after crossing the limit, but they will also lose access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, and incur a limit on taking back no more than 110% of the salary the franchise hands out in trades. It would also further affect their trading and acquisition abilities.

With his unusual circumstance, the Phoenix Suns have put themselves in a precarious position. However, they are not the only ones.

What are the NBA’s most expensive teams in terms of salary expenditure?

Minnesota Timberwolves

With a star roster comprising of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves are a Championship favorite for next season. At the same time, however, they will also become the 2nd most expensive team. With their active salary cap currently reaching $205.6 million, the franchise will have to fork up over $105.6 million as tax.

The above trio will be the only three players on the roster to receive over $40 million. Notably, Jaden McDaniels is expected to receive over $23 million, while Naz Reid will receive $13 million for the next season. The rest of the players will be paid in the seven figures.

The figure is expected to go even higher, unfortunately, since Rudy Gobert is now eligible for a four-year, $243 million extension. However, he is expected to reportedly take a pay cut in exchange for a more guaranteed money contract. This might help ease the franchise’s financial situation a bit.

Boston Celtics

The reigning champions, Celtics, have currently paid $196.6 million in salaries. As a result, they will now receive a $65.6 million tax bill. Once the extension of Jayson Tatum kicks in during the 2025-26 season, the same tax penalty will increase to $82 million.

It was only last year when they provided Jaylen Brown with one of the biggest NBA deals: a 5-year $285.39 million contract. Recently, the Celtics topped that by giving his scoring partner Tatum a $315 million deal too, for the same duration. Just imagine how much of a huge financial burden these deals are going to be moving forward.

However, owner Wyc Grousbeck is looking to put that burden on someone else. He and his ownership group, Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C., reportedly plan to sell their majority stake in the Celtics. It’s expected to take place by late 2024 or early 2025.

Milwaukee Bucks

Taking care of a roster that has The Greek Freak, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton was never expected to be cheap and easy. Sure enough, by spending over $189 million in salaries, the Milwaukee Bucks will be hit by a $45 million tax bill. They’ll have to now be careful about who will fill the final roster slot. Whether that will be financially beneficial or a burden remains to be seen.

Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James recently signed a 2-year, $104 million extension. That same figure was then brought down to $101.35 million. With that adjustment, the Lakers will pay over $188 million in salaries. Noticeably, they are just 45k under the second apron. So, they’ll receive a $35.8 million tax bill.

Bron has taken an intentional cut to allow them not to incur further tax hits. This also allowed his son, Bronny, to ink a much higher deal than what is typically awarded to the 55 draft pick. King James was reportedly willing to take an even bigger pay cut if Rob Pelinka and Co. would bring in a Klay Thompson-esque quality player. Unfortunately, those negotiations didn’t bear fruit.

Is your team above the second apron? What would be your next steps if you were put in the front office’s shoes? Let us know in the comments below.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.