The second apron, introduced in the 2023 collective bargaining agreement, alters the NBA salary cap landscape by limiting options for teams exceeding spending thresholds. High-spending teams face roster-building consequences, such as reduced flexibility in trades and acquisitions. Significant trades occurred pre-implementation, including Kevin Durant to the Suns and Damian Lillard to the Bucks. However, roster changes post-rule established increased difficulty, leading to buyouts and waiving of high-salary players, while teams overall are hindered in how they can build their rosters under the new rules.
"The second apron rules do not allow a team to jump to the head of the line in how you build a roster," an Eastern Conference GM told ESPN. "And if you do add a veteran with a high salary in a trade, your roster timeline is shortened."
Before the stringent second apron rules were implemented, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were traded to the Phoenix Suns. That was followed by the Boston Celtics acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.
Two years later, Durant, Porzingis and Holiday were traded. Beal is in discussion to be bought out of his contract and waived. The Bucks had to waive Lillard, the $113 million still owed to him getting waived and stretched over five seasons.
The tools Stevens is referring to are the inability to send cash in a trade, use at least $5.7 million in cash, or acquire buyout guys.
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