The Athletic NBA Daily What you need to know about the NBA CBA
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Sep 13, 2025 Yossi Gozlan, an NBA salary cap guru and writer for the Third Apron, dives deep into the complexities of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. He explains the Celtics' rebuilding strategy and the timeline for the Lakers to secure max cap space. Gozlan also discusses potential penalties for the Clippers and the implications for restricted free agents like Cam Thomas. The conversation is packed with financial insights and strategic discussions relevant to fans craving a deeper understanding of NBA economics.
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Cap Space More Numerous But Less Impactful
- Next summer should see more teams with cap flexibility, but many will still avoid using full cap space due to extensions.
- The 2023 CBA and extension trends push players toward signing extensions, reducing star-level free agency.
Celtics Ducking The Repeater Tax
- The Celtics are executing a short retool to avoid repeater tax penalties and regain flexibility.
- Expect a two-year window to use trade exceptions, rookie-cost trades, and preserved first-round picks to rebuild depth.
Frozen Picks Are Unlikely, Thunder Most At Risk
- The second-apron penalties that can freeze a first-round pick are still rare and unlikely soon.
- The Thunder present the clearest candidate to risk frozen picks if they remain heavy spenders and contenders.