Winning Trumps High Tax Bills in NBA Offseason, CPAs Say

NBA superstars like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving have had an eventful July—choosing new teams and signing lucrative new contracts.

Those new contracts come with new income tax bills, but certified public accountants for professional athletes say most players are more focused on winning than on their new tax bill.

A chance at an NBA championship will always supersede a tax burden, said Ryan Losi, a financial adviser and executive vice president at PIASCIK, an accounting firm.

“For these superstar players, income tax rates are not a driving factor. Players absolutely care more about winning than tax rates—nobody ...