Amid on-court struggles, the news isn't any better off the floor for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs were the only NBA team to post an operating deficit last season, according to Forbes' annual estimate of franchise valuations. According to that, $159 million worth of payroll and luxury tax helped knock the team $6.2 million into the red. Meanwhile, revenue sharing from the NBA's luxury tax reportedly pushed three teams - the Memphis Grizzlies, Charlotte Hornets, and Milwaukee Bucks - into positive territory.
Related: Forbes says all NBA franchises now valued at over $1B
The Cavaliers also reportedly lost $40 million during their NBA championship season of 2015-16. The team has spent heavily the past few years to pad its roster with veteran players around LeBron James, but has stagnated on the court in recent weeks, putting a fourth straight Finals appearance in doubt.
Furthermore, James can opt out of his contract and leave the Cavs again this summer, something that would certainly affect the franchise's standing both on and off the court. Amid those rumors are intermittent reports that team owner Dan Gilbert could sell.
The Cavs were valued at $1.3 billion in the latest Forbes rankings.