I'll bet all kinds financial chit goes on behind the scenes.
Not saying this is the case at all, but just a for-instance:
Like Tony is invested in a company that Jordan is also etc. Needs to keep his multi million dollar salary going as it helps the investment.
It makes more sense then some of the NBA personnel decisions.
Prime Timmy Duncan being wasted on Matty Bonner starting 5 playoff games in a 1-4 loss?
Yeah that was based on merit.