NBA GMs Slam Apron Rules After Celtics Overhaul

GMs are pushing back on the second-apron era. In an NBA.com survey, 26 percent of GMs said "roster construction" needs changing, citing the "too harsh" apron rules, a desire for a draft-player cap discount, partial-salary trades and equalized minimums. The apron already shaped the offseason: Boston saved roughly $300 million by moving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis and declining vets, Minnesota reworked contracts and traded Karl‑Anthony Towns to avoid the apron, and a few teams sit perilously close to the first apron — the Rockets $1.3M under it, the Mavericks only $51,000 under last season. Merlin sees a law meant to tame big spenders like Ballmer and Lacob now squeezing everyone else, forcing odd trades, withheld signings and roster gymnastics. If one team ever opts to forfeit rather than trigger penalties, the league will have to listen — change is brewing, not guaranteed.