Sports · Basketball · 1 day ago
NBA disputes claim that second apron is hurting middle-class players
The NBA has rejected the claim that its second tax apron is hurting middle-tier players.
The apron is a spending threshold in the league’s collective bargaining agreement that brings restrictions for teams above it.
The league said roster sizes have stayed the same since the rules took effect and annual salaries have risen by nearly $1.3 billion, with pay up about 30% across player groups.
Veteran guard Bruce Brown disagreed, saying he could not get a guaranteed contract after playing a significant bench role for Denver last season.
Brown, now in training camp with the New York Knicks on a non-guaranteed deal, said the new agreement makes it harder for middle-tier players to secure contracts.
The league’s figures and Brown’s experience point to a dispute over how rising overall pay translates into individual opportunities.
Denver is currently the only team above the second apron, and it signed several players to guaranteed minimum-salary deals this offseason but did not agree to a new deal with Brown.
The NBA disputed the claim that the second tax apron is hurting middle-class players.
The league said roster sizes have stayed the same since the second apron was introduced, while annual salaries rose by nearly $1.3 billion.
Veteran guard Bruce Brown said the new collective bargaining agreement benefits top-paid players but makes conditions difficult for middle-class players.
Brown is at Knicks training camp on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract after failing to secure a guaranteed deal.
Hoops Rumors reported that 17 players signed using a form of the mid-level exception for at least $6 million in the 2026/27 league year.
- Who
- The NBA and veteran guard Bruce Brown.
- What
- The NBA rejected the claim that the second tax apron is hurting middle-class players; Brown said the new CBA makes things difficult for players like him.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026; Brown made his remarks earlier that week.
- Where
- The NBA issued its statement on social media. Brown spoke to reporters while at Knicks training camp.
- Why
- The NBA cited unchanged roster sizes and higher salaries; Brown blamed the CBA and second apron for his difficulty securing a guaranteed deal.
NBA
Bruce Brown
Effect of the second apron
NBA
The NBA said claims that the second apron is hurting lower- and middle-class players are untrue.
Bruce Brown
Brown said the new CBA benefits top-paid players but is tough for middle-class players.
Middle-class player pay
NBA
The NBA said annual salaries have increased by nearly $1.3 billion, with pay increases of about 30% for all classes of players.
Bruce Brown
Brown said fewer players are getting the full mid-level or tax mid-level exception.
Recent reports asserted that the second apron is hurting ‘lower’ and ‘middle’ class players. That’s untrue.
But other than that, like the middle guys, it kind of sucks for us.
Bruce Brown said the new CBA and second apron were making it harder for middle-class players to secure deals.
The NBA disputed claims that the second apron was hurting lower- and middle-class players.
Seventeen players signed using a form of the mid-level exception for salaries of at least $6 million.
- NBA salary increase
- Nearly $1.3 billion in annual salaries since implementation of the second apron
- Pay increase
- Approximately 30% for all classes of players, according to the NBA
- Mid-level exception signings
- 17 players earned at least $6 million in 2026/27
- Denver Nuggets
- The only team reported to be operating over the second tax apron
Sources
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