Celtics Title Town

NBA tax may soon be a luxury Lakers can't afford-LA Times

This season, payroll and luxury taxes will cost the Lakers $128 million. But when the league's stiffer taxes take effect in the 2013-14 season, keeping the Lakers' core together could cost nearly $200 million.

Man, I hope the Lakers lose big. I hope they crash, and burn against the Thunder, or against the Celtics in the Finals. Or worst case scenario the Heat beat the Lakers. The Lakers may look to cut some of their hefty payroll, and may cost them depth to win a championship.

Whether to waive World Peace could be a $31 million question for the Lakers. That's the amount Coon estimated the team could save in taxes by severing ties to World Peace and replacing him with a player making the league minimum salary. So long, World Peace? Not necessarily. "We haven't used it for a reason and that's because we like this team," Kupchak said of the amnesty clause. "We think this team could win and that's what this organization wants to do. If at some point, we're not winning and players aren't performing, we'll look at our options."

Will losing Artest hurt the Lakers? I think so, he's not the same player from a few years ago, but he's their crazy guy. Will they move on without him who knows. But the Lakers will have to pay a lot for this roster with Kobe, Dwight, Nash, and Gasol. It would be so gratifying beating them, and with them paying a crap load in luxury taxes.