With economic concerns plaguing the sports world, Hornets owner George Shinn told the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Monday that he will spend as much as needed if it helps the team win its first-ever NBA championship.
The Hornets surprised some in the sports world earlier in the offseason when they for former Charlotte Bobcats center Emeka Okafor, who carries a $72 million contract over the next six seasons, putting the team in danger of surpassing the NBA’s luxury tax in future seasons.
“The goal is to get better,” Shinn said. “I hope people will quit [grumbling] that we’re cheap. The goal is to use good judgment in the business. Obviously, we’d like to be below the luxury tax. But we made the comment before if we can get below it and get better, that would be great. But if you can’t, you don’t shoot yourself in the foot and make yourself worse to get under the luxury cap.”—-
Contact the Daily Reveille sports staff at [email protected]