NBA's New CBA Shakes Up Team Strategies: The Case of DeMar DeRozan and Notable Franchises
As the NBA navigates the early impact of the latest collective bargaining agreement (CBA), teams are finding themselves in uncharted waters. Financial thresholds and penalties are reshaping strategies, even before the new rules have been entirely implemented. For all 30 teams in the league, adjustments are underway to operate within what Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka describes as an "apron world."
Substantial Penalties Trigger Strategic Shifts
The introduction of the "second apron" rule, which imposes severe penalties on teams exceeding certain financial limits, has already led to significant shifts. A prominent example is the Golden State Warriors' dissolution, as the team could no longer manage the financial burden under the new stipulations.
The Los Angeles Clippers faced a similar scenario, allowing Paul George to walk without executing a trade to bring back salary. This decision underscores the challenging balancing act franchises must perform under the new CBA.
DeRozan’s Situation in a Tightening Market
DeMar DeRozan's case epitomizes the new financial dynamics at play in the league. Despite being an All-Star as recently as 2023 and almost securing the Clutch Player of the Year award last season, DeRozan and his representatives are navigating a tight market. Chris Haynes reports, "For the teams that might be calling or gauging interest in DeMar taking a full mid-level exception, which is around $13 million, I am told that is not even being considered right now."
Adrian Wojnarowski adds that, "The kind of contract he might want just is not going to be available. It's not left out there on the marketplace. The Bulls are more than willing to work out a sign-and-trade agreement to get him the years and money that he might want, but with the new salary cap rules, those are much more difficult for teams to do."
Financial Flexibility: A Rarity
Currently, only the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons have over $20 million in cap space. The Jazz are at a crossroads between entering a rebuild or using their cap flexibility to renegotiate and extend Lauri Markkanen's contract.
The Pistons, on the other hand, are grappling with a surplus of ball-handlers and a shortage of 3-point shooting, highlighting that financial freedom alone doesn’t guarantee immediate solutions to roster and performance issues.
DeRozan’s Defensive Metrics: A Challenge
DeRozan's performance metrics also pose challenges. Over the last five seasons, he has had a negative Defensive Estimated Plus Minus in four, never registering a positive Defensive Daily Plus-Minus. Significantly, both his Bulls and Spurs defenses performed better with him off the floor, making his future in the league even more complex under the new financial constraints.
Changing Free Agency Landscape
The financial environment has also visibly altered the free agency landscape. In the last offseason before the new CBA, no free agent changed NBA teams for more than $27.3 million annually. Players like Jalen Brunson and Collin Sexton did secure deals with starting salaries above $13 million, but such cases are becoming increasingly rare.
John Hollinger notes the limited market for DeRozan, stating, "If they had paid half as much — $14 million a year — who was outbidding them? The Clippers and Lakers only had the taxpayer midlevel exception. The Knicks quickly burned through their cap space to lock in the six seed for the next three years. The only teams with the space to make a move here were Oklahoma City, which isn't rebuilding around a 32-year-old, and DeRozan's own team in San Antonio, which didn't seem to be in that big a rush to bring him back."
Franchise Dissatisfaction and Potential Moves
The Sacramento Kings haven't been immune to the CBA’s effects. Their inability to replicate last season’s success has led to ownership dissatisfaction, making them a frequent name in trade rumors involving high-profile players such as Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and Brandon Ingram. James Ham comments, "The Kings' ownership dissatisfaction has put the team in a position to be linked with several high-profile players."
Heat's Financial Predicament
The Miami Heat also find themselves in a precarious position, sitting $7 million above the first apron. Acquiring a signed-and-traded player could hard cap the team at the first apron level, limiting their flexibility. Additionally, their ranking of 18th in 3-point attempts per game illustrates a potential area of concern as they navigate the season.
As the NBA community continues to adapt to the evolving financial landscape, player valuations and team strategies are evolving simultaneously. The ripple effects of the latest CBA will continue to be felt across the league, making the upcoming seasons an intriguing period for basketball fans and analysts alike.