Boston Celtics fans watched their roster crumble to pieces this summer, as the front office did financial gymnastics to avoid the league’s second-apron penalties. These restrictions were introduced as part of the 2023 update to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement and have made it difficult for teams to spend big.
In short, the financial penalties make it difficult for high-spending teams to continue making moves to improve their roster.
If a team spends above the second-apron threshold in three out of five seasons, then the consequences grow worse. This is why Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were offloaded in trades for little to no return (Anfernee Simons might fit well; we’re just going to have to wait and see).
With these CBA changes still fresh, the Celtics are the first real powerhouse to be ruined by them. Spitefully, it would be nice if they weren’t the last because, well, misery loves company, as they say.
Boston may be getting some company in the CBA prison cell, after all. According to Spotrac, the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently $19.7 million above the second-apron threshold for the 2025-26 season.
Cavs could be Celtic-like sellers next summer
Unlike the Celtics, this is the first year in which the Cavs are significant overspenders, which means there’s no immediate danger of worsening their financial fate.
It does, however, raise questions around the Cavaliers and how much of their future rides on this season. Cleveland had a tremendous campaign in 2024-25. They topped the Eastern Conference with 64 wins. Three more than Boston.
There was legitimate hope for championship glory in “The Land,” until the Cavs went crashing out of the second round at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. Celtics fans know more than just about anyone that the Pacers are no joke, though they tend to fly under the radar.
They also know the strain that championship aspirations can put on a franchise when the goal isn’t met. From 2017 up until last season, Boston had real reason to believe they could win the title at some point in the year. Despite not meeting that goal until 2024, the Cs were able to keep their team together for a variety of reasons, one of which was that they didn’t have the CBA breathing down their necks.
Cleveland doesn’t necessarily have that same luxury.
If they underachieve again this year, there will be real buzz, at least online, that they should look into reshaping their roster to get below the second apron. Whether or not their front office will buy that is a different story, though, I’m sure they’d have to think about it if there’s no significant improvement (i.e., a Conference Finals appearance).
In the moment, this all may not feel that it matters much from a Celtics perspective, but it could. If the Cavs decide to have a fire sale next summer, it could make Boston’s climb back to the top of the East that much easier. Jayson Tatum should have recovered from his Achilles injury by then, and Brad Stevens will have had time to survey the market for the best path forward.