• Loading stock data...
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

  • NBA.com dropped its 23rd annual NBA GM survey.
  • GMs voted the salary-cap apron regulations as the rule that most needs to change.
David Butler II-Imagn Images

The NBA’s second apron took effect last season, but several GMs already want it gone.

According to NBA.com’s 23rd annual GM survey, roster construction as it pertains to the “restrictive” apron rules was voted as the No. 1 rule the NBA needs to change. One-fifth of the general managers ranked the apron rules as the top issue. This number also includes votes for those who believe the thresholds should be indexed to the team’s market.

The vote comes just a week after the Timberwolves, who have the NBA’s second-highest payroll, traded four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. The trade was unexpected—and was voted the most surprising move of the offseason in the same survey—but it was motivated by salary-cap management.

The second apron for this season is $188.9 million, $48.4 million more than the soft salary cap and $17.5 million above the luxury tax. Four teams are currently above the threshold: the Suns, Timberwolves, Celtics, and Bucks. 

Second-apron violators incur several restrictions for roster construction, including losing the ability to use trade exceptions or send out cash in trades. They are also stripped of the taxpayer mid-level exception, which is often used by capped teams to sign a rotation player, and the right to sign players who are bought out by their previous teams.

The NBA’s salary-cap rules changed as a response to a lack of parity in the league in the 2010s. That decade saw “superteams” like the Heat and Warriors who were formed by bringing together some of the league’s best players—but also benefited from cap loopholes.

Also Receiving Votes

While roster construction was the highest-voted rule change, it received only one-fifth of the votes.

Seventeen percent of GMs voted for a change in the schedule, which includes fewer games and/or reducing the number of back-to-back games. The NBA has put an emphasis on improving its schedule, completely cutting out four games and five nights for teams. The average for back-to-backs per team next season is 14.9, which is down 23% versus a decade ago, but up slightly from 14 last year and 13.3 the year before.

Tied for third with 13% of the vote are playoff format and game flow. The former suggests the playoffs should be seeded 1–16, regardless of conference, similar to what’s done in the WNBA. Another playoff format change lumped into this vote was allowing the top seeds to choose which opponents to play.

For game flow, the GMs voted to either reduce stoppages and replay reviews or institute the G League’s rule of having just one free throw per trip to the charity stripe until the final two minutes of a game.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
exclusive

Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Rob Dauster to Lead On3’s College Hoops..

Goodman previously worked for ESPN, CBS Sports, and Stadium.

YouTube’s Revised NFL Game Rating Still Has Fox, ESPN Execs Upset 

Adjusted viewership metrics from the streamer reignited debate about the game.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of a Wilson basketball and the Dallas Wings logo during the game between the Wings and the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.
September 11, 2025

Democratic Women’s Caucus Urges WNBA to End CBA Stalemate

The league and WNBPA must reach an agreement by Oct. 31.
September 12, 2025

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks in a press conference during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center.
September 11, 2025

Silver Says Free Highlights Are an Issue As NBA Begins $77B Deal

Silver called basketball a “highlight-based sport.”
September 11, 2025

Greg Norman Leaves LIV As Golf World Continues to Shift

Norman relinquished the league’s CEO role in January.
September 11, 2025

Trump’s Golf Empire Grows With 5th Big Tournament in 2 Years

The DP World Tour is heading to Trump International Golf Links Ireland.
September 11, 2025

Kaprizov’s Record Contract Rejection Highlights NHL’s New World

The declined contract would have set records for overall and annual value.