Signing bonuses: cash vs. cap vs. luxury tax

[loserX]

Apologies if this is an old question...as a Jazz fan, much is being made about the recent Maynor/Harpring dump and how close it got us to the luxury tax threshold. That got me thinking (which is the first problem).

Paul Millsap was given a signing bonus as a result of the offer sheet extended to him by Portland, which Utah matched. I know that in terms of cash payout, Millsap gets a big front-loaded bump this year. I also know that for cap purposes, the bonus is actually spread out over the term of the contract.

But which number is used in luxury tax calculations for 2009-2010? The cash payout number, which includes 100% of the bonus? Or the cap number, which includes a pro-rated portion of the bonus? I'm curious if we're not actually as close to the tax threshold as it might appear.

Please answer in 3 pictures of hot celebrities or less. Thank you!

[Dunkenstein]

^^The cap number.

[loserX]

Interesting. Thanks very much!