NBA's Second Apron: Parity or Pain?

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NBA News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. The NBA's latest collective bargaining agreement introduced the second apron, a tough salary cap that limits teams with big payrolls. It's sparking a lot of debate among players and fans. Some say it hurts free agency, and makes teams cheaper with non-stars, while others praise it for creating more balance across the league. It looks like gold and stay forward. Dremont Green called it a bad deal that basically ended free agency. Detroit's Duncan Robinson noted players didn't realize it acts like a hard cap. Miami's Norman Powell found the restrictions annoying, and Cleveland's Larry Nance Jr. said regular players are getting squeezed in negotiations. Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant sees it differently. He thanked the aprons for bringing parity to the league. Durant said it makes the playoffs exciting because no one knows who will stick together or make a deep run, giving every team a real shot. League Commissioner Adam Silver back that up last fall.

1:01He pointed out teams are still paying out 51% of basketball revenue to players overall, not a penny less. It's just shifting how deals get done to avoid super teams. With less than six weeks left in the regular season, the Western Conference shows this parity in action. The Rockets sit third, just a half game ahead of fourth place Minnesota Timberwolves, one game over fifth place Denver Nuggets, two ahead of, sixth place Los Angeles Lakers, and four up on seventh place Phoenix Suns. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor. See the episode description. Lay back, press play, let the pillow do the rest.