NBA insider Brian Wimdhorst said the looming second apron fine will apply to NBA teams unless effortless changes are made this summer, which could trigger a series of trades.
“You have the sandwich effect – the second apron pressed down,” said Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Hoop Podcast. “These teams are in the second apron: Boston’s Phoenix, Boston is trying to get rid of it. I think all three teams are going to try to get out of it. You have a few teams going into the second apron – I think Cleveland, another apron, but the second apron isn’t a long place, so you guys have to do your best.
“And then, you have some teams that have been all out over the last few years, don’t like their hands and may try to quit. I suspect there are a few teams that can see 13 teams next year trying to win in the West next year, they go, they go, 'You know what?'' Actually, there are about 14 teams because I think Portland might win after the way they ended. [Chris] A few days ago, Finch said he was 15 years old. I haven't gotten there yet.
“So, but let’s just let the Trail Blazers throw the bones and say there are 14 teams. There are a team or two out there, for example, ‘I don’t like we stand here, if there are 14 teams trying to win, maybe we shouldn’t…’ I wouldn’t call those teams by name, but I doubt, you know, you know, they might be in the salesperson model.
“So you have some teams that have to lose players because of salary. You have some fanatical teams trying to move upwards. And you have some teams that may be trying to sell because they see so many buyers. And you get the market there, there is a market there.”
“People say it's the number of activities and calls that are happening in the league, which is much higher than in the past few years,” Windhorst added.
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