Atlanta Hawks President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh has clarified the franchise holds full authority to enter the NBA luxury tax. This statement, made during a SiriusXM appearance, reinforces the team's patient but flexible approach to roster building. It comes as the Hawks continue a strong preseason run, most recently beating the Dallas Mavericks 135-111 on October 16.
Saleh directly addressed financial strategy in his recent comments. "Even with us, we could go in the tax and we have full authority on the tax," Saleh said. This is an important clarification for fans. It signals that while the Hawks prioritize flexibility, ownership has not prohibited spending into the tax bracket. The decision rests with Saleh and his front office to identify the correct basketball opportunity to justify that financial commitment.
Handling the NBA's financial rules is complex. The luxury tax and the stricter apron levels are separate thresholds. Paying the tax is costly, but crossing the second apron triggers severe roster restrictions. Teams above that line lose tools like the midlevel exception and face limits on aggregating player salaries in trades. Saleh's strategy involves staying nimble to avoid those handicaps, which can trap an expensive team.
Maintaining this flexibility creates tangible opportunities. Saleh pointed to the Hawks' offseason acquisition of Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder as a prime example. The Thunder, facing the costs and restrictions of the second apron, needed to reduce salary. Atlanta, positioned below that line, was able to absorb valuable rotation players to bolster their perimeter defense and add championship experience.
That deal illustrates the basketball value of financial discipline. It's not only about saving money. It's about keeping the tools available to improve the roster when other teams are forced to make difficult choices. The challenge for Saleh is knowing when to stop waiting and use that accumulated flexibility on a major upgrade, ideally to build a stronger core around star Jalen Johnson.
The team's patient philosophy is unfolding alongside a productive preseason. Their 135-111 win over Dallas on October 16 was part of a 4-1 exhibition record. Other results included a 113-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 12 and a 119-117 win against the Indiana Pacers on October 10. Their sole preseason loss was a 132-123 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies back on October 5.
This on-court performance provides a backdrop for Saleh's comments. The Hawks are demonstrating their current roster's potential while the front office plans its next strategic move. The immediate focus shifts to the final preseason contest, an away game against the Orlando Magic on October 21. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full schedule on our schedule page.
Saleh's message remains consistent. The Hawks intend to make smart decisions, capitalize on opportunities from cap-strapped teams, and preserve the ability to act decisively. His explicit confirmation that the authority to spend into the tax exists adds substance to that plan. When Atlanta's leadership believes the right piece is available, they have the green light to pay for it.
