Chris Tomasson of NBA FanHouse reports that the Atlanta Hawks have eliminated free-agent center Shaquille O’Neal from their wishlist due to financial concerns.
A source close to the situation said Thursday that Atlanta’s ownership doesn’t want to exceed the luxury-tax threshold of $70.307 million. The Hawks are about $4 million shy right now.
Tomasson emphasizes this point later when he writes, “the directive from ownership to not exceed the luxury tax has altered” the Hawks’ interest.