3.06.2018

Celtics' Set to Pay NBA Hefty Check

 3/15/2008

Celtics' Set to Pay NBA Hefty Check

Once the season ends, the Celtics will write a hefty check to the NBA. However, the ownership won't have a problem with it because they knew such would be the price for having a contending team.

The Celtics' payroll is approximately $75 million following the recent additions of veterans Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown. Since they are about $7 million over the luxury tax, they will be assessed a dollar-for-dollar tax after the season. But managing partner and governor Wyc Grousbeck said all of the owners were comfortable with the additions of several high-priced players since last season. And with All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen leading the team to the NBA's best record, the Celtics are getting bang for their buck, too.

"In trading for Kevin Garnett and extending his contract, we added to what we did to Paul Pierce by extending his contract [in 2006]," Grousbeck said. "With Garnett's extension this summer and then going to the luxury tax to add [James] Posey, [Eddie] House, and [Scot] Pollard, it made a statement that this is the time. We're not going to look back and say, 'If we only had one more player.' So, my partners and I talked about it and made a group commitment to support this team to the hilt.

"What I'm most proud of is veterans like P.J. and Sam, who have a lot of integrity and know how to win, chose our organization. We're proud of that and proud of what it says about the Celtics."

Said general manager Danny Ainge: "Successful franchises have good ownerships and our ownership has let our players, coaches, and management succeed and put winning as a priority."

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