Brad Stevens said when the offseason began that he had “the OK to do whatever we need to do” to improve the Celtics, making clear that team ownership was willing to go further over the $150 million luxury tax threshold with an NBA title in sight.
Since then, Boston has traded for Malcolm Brogdon, signed Danilo Gallinari, and then signed Blake Griffin to help make up for the loss of Gallinari, who tore his ACL while playing for the Italian national team.
According to Spotrac, the Celtics are now $25.4 million over the luxury tax threshold and have a total luxury tax bill of $65.3 million, which is the fifth-largest in the NBA. The Warriors have the biggest at a whopping $170.2 million, and the Clippers and Nets are both over $100 million as well.
Could the Celtics continue to go even higher if they need to add another piece or two during the season? Appearing on The Greg Hill Show Tuesday morning, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck sounded like someone who is all-in on Banner 18 and not worrying about the luxury tax at this point.
“Yeah, I can’t remember how far we’re in the tax,” Grousbeck said. “I do know we’re gonna pay, I don’t know, $230 million in salary this year. We’re way over the tax as it is. What’s the difference?”
Listen to the full interview with Grousbeck below: