The new CBA has essentially been designed to prevent teams (namely big markets) from just spending out the ass to buy championships.
This will mostly affect teams like the Warriors, Clippers, Suns, Celtics, and Lakers who have committed like $100M+ to two or three players. Previously, owners could just choose to pay the luxury tax. With the new CBA, teams will be more restricted on how to add and keep talent on their teams...not only by paying the luxury tax but facing other penalties.
Here is a breakdown of the new CBA: Teams that are $17.5 million over the luxury tax threshold (called the "second apron") have restrictions.
- These teams can’t sign players to the mid-level exception. This clause would have prevented the 2022 signings of Danilo Gallinari (Celtics), Donte DiVincenzo (Warriors), Joe Ingles (Bucks) and John Wall (Clippers).
- These teams can’t take in more salary in a trade than they are sending out. Previously, they could take back 125% of their outgoing salaries.
- These teams can’t trade first-round picks seven years out anymore (all teams below the second apron can).
- These teams can’t trade cash in a deal (this will prevent them from being able to “buy” second-round picks on draft night).
- These teams can’t sign buyout players during the season. This would have prevented the 2023 buyout signings of Russell Westbrook (Clippers), Goran Dragic (Bucks), Terrence Ross (Suns) and Justin Holiday (Mavericks).
The Spurs are actually in a good position because we are well under the cap and have plenty of talent on good deals or rookie contracts. There will come a point where we will have to pay the likes of Vassell, Sochan, or Wemby but the team is well poised to navigate that.
Meanwhile, teams like the Warriors who are already paying huge contracts to Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, and Poole now have some tough decisions to make if they want to retain Draymond, extend Thompson, or keep guys like Kuminga, GPII, etc who are all due new money. They can still choose to pay, but will also be limited on building around those key pieces.

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