More Fans, More Money, More Resources (Even Under New CBA)
http://basketball.realgm.com/blog/222107/More_Fans_More_Money_More_Resources_(Even_Under_New_CBA)
Long story short this is why OKC is going to have problems retaining key players. Hence even though they are young they will have a hard time competing with big markets. Because quite simply big markets have way more cash flow.
The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, recently agreed to a new cable deal that will pay them an average of $200 million annually.
The Lakers, who have nearly $80 million in salaries on their books for 2012-13, signed Steve Nash to a three-year $27 million deal.
Last time I looked 200mil is a boatload more than 89mil.
As of the 2010 census, there were 19 million in the New York metropolitan area and 13 million in Los Angeles. In comparison, there were 1.5 million people in Oklahoma City.
OKC simply doesn't have the revenue streams big markets have. That's why I wasn't against the idea of trading Harden for a young kid.
So enjoy the ride while it last because eventually OKC is going to have to pay Harden AND Ibaka. And quite frankly I just don't see them keeping all 4 of them together. Big markets don't even feel the luxury tax. Their TV deal simply absorbs it. OKC has their big 4 for one more year then they are going to take a big step back. I guess it's possible that KD will eventually play PF and maybe Perry Jones can play SF but that's kind of tough to hang your hat on that.