Ok, here is where I am on this:
Woj’s quote is this: “In documents shared with Taylor, the NBA and The Carlyle Group, Lore and Rodriguez rendered a budget projection as potential majority owners that would’ve lowered team’s payroll to $171M beginning next season – below a projected $172M luxury tax threshold, sources tell ESPN.”
Dane’s quote: “This idea of submitting a budget was pretty easy to ask around about because it didn’t really line up logically in my head. I think the best way I can distill down in my head is this was A budget that was submitted but not THE budget. I talked to one team executive that said, ‘we have over 100 budgets in a year. They are all based on performance.’…It does suggest that their actual budget could be different.”
1. I believe both sources.
2. I think Dane is missing the point in his question. I agree with him, that teams probably have multiple budgets. But this was the one Lore and ARod SUBMITTED to Taylor, the other NBA owners, and the biggest thing I think people miss .. Carlyle! This is their funding source, and would require an accurate projection! Imagine going to get a loan for a new house, saying, “My projections are that I eat ramen noodle every night, don’t use any electricity, and don’t put $1 into maintaining the new house. Hell, I might sell some of it off!” Does the banker say, “well, if you’re being honest and don’t spend $1 more later, we’ll agree to your loan?” Bad for us fans.
3. If Lore and ARod have the money to invest in the team, why in the HELL would they choose to present this as their budget? Don’t the other owners prefer to hear that a new owner will invest in the team? Don’t the new owners prefer a team that pays lux taxes, versus an owner that wants a check from them for their split of the lux share? If Lore and ARod have the money to buy the team, I haven’t seen a rationale to explain presenting THIS budget.
4. I asked Dane for more information, and he said, “Sorry, I can’t elaborate too much.” Take that as you wish. Also note that he specifically stated “this is how I distill it in my head.” He is hopeful that both sides are willing to pay the lux. Me too - it’s a poor business decision if they don’t invest in this team going forward. To me, the fact that Lore and ARod presented this budget is more evidence they don’t have the money to invest in the team.