Paying to Play

This man Gabe Vincent went undrafted, got picked up by the Heat G-League team, balled out, became a 2-way contract player, eventually taking over Kyle Lowry’s starting job, and cooked every backcourt on the way to the Finals…

And continues to cook now (look at these Game 2 highlights)…

He made just a little over $1.8 million this year…

His current backcourt teammate, Max Strus (also undrafted), has almost the same exact salary. Max also took over the starting role (Tyler Herro injury), and has cooked SG’s all the way through the playoffs as well.

They are currently deadlocked 1-1 in the Finals with a backcourt that is due to be paid over 40 million this season, in Murray and Caldwell-Pope.

The Finals should be about “the best” that the NBA has to offer. But we all know that’s fairytale talk, as injuries, trades, and locker room disputes will derail most of our top picks for the season finale.

Like any industry, having access to capital in the NBA can give you a significant advantage. However, the NBA is a bit different due to factors like salary caps and luxury taxes. This year's NBA Finals between the Heat and the Nuggets is a perfect example of how good scouting and player development can level the playing field.

This is what makes this game so special though.

We’re witness really, really good hoops right now.

Salary-caps be damned.

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Like I stated earlier, having access to capital can certainly provide an advantage. However, the NBA's salary cap and luxury tax system are designed to promote competitive balance and prevent wealthier teams from simply outspending their rivals.

Despite these measures, disparities in player salaries and team payrolls remain.

The financial implications of reaching the NBA Finals extend beyond player salaries and bonuses. Advertising revenue is a significant factor, with the cost of a 30-second ad spot during the Finals reaching six figures. The exact impact of the Finals on a team's bottom line is difficult to quantify, but it's clear that a successful playoff run can be highly lucrative.

While the NBA Finals represent the pinnacle of success on the court, they also highlight the business side of the sport. From player salaries and bonuses to advertising revenue and viewership numbers, the Finals are a major financial event in the NBA calendar. As fans, we may focus on the on-court action, but the business of basketball is always in play.

A few points to leave you with…

• The Miami Heat's total salary for the 2023 season is approximately $130 million, with the starting five accounting for roughly $107 million of that total.

• The Denver Nuggets' total salary for the 2023 season is approximately $140 million, with the starting five accounting for about $106 million.

• The player bonuses for reaching the NBA Finals have seen a steady increase over the years. In 2020, the projection for the bonus was as high as $300,000 per player. The exact figures for 2023 are not readily available as of yet, but it's safe to assume that the trend of increasing bonuses has continued.

• The cost of advertising during the NBA Finals has also seen a significant increase. Over the last few years, a 30-second spot broadcast nationally averaged around $115,000. It's likely to be significantly higher this year.

• The viewership for the NBA Finals has fluctuated over the years, with the 2023 Finals between the Nuggets and the Heat drawing an average of 7.41 million viewers for Game 1. This is a decrease from the previous year's Finals between the Warriors and the Celtics, which drew an average of 7.91 million viewers for Game 1.

• Despite the slight decrease in viewership, the NBA Finals remain a lucrative event for the league and its players, with significant revenue generated from player salaries, bonuses, and advertising.