NBA teams avoiding tax apron viewed as biggest offseason storyline

Every summer has a theme, and this one was no different. In his annual survey of NBA coaches, scouts and executives, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps found that front offices kept circling back to the same question.

Namely, how do we build while dodging the financial minefield known as the second apron?

The Votes

• Teams avoiding the aprons/financial flexibility: 7

• Teams prioritizing size: 6

• Teams prioritizing youth and depth: 4

• Free agency being a non-factor: 1

• Restricted free agents squeezed: 1

• Waiving and stretching contracts: 1

For the third straight year, the apron ruled the day. Teams not firmly in title contention — like the Celtics and Suns — cut costs to stay under it, while others such as the Timberwolves and Knicks worked around it to keep their rosters intact.

Along with that, “size” is suddenly just as hot a topic.

“Size matters now,” one East scout told Bontemps, pointing to a renewed emphasis on offensive rebounding after years of small-ball being in vogue.

And don’t forget youth and depth. The Thunder and Pacers reached the Finals last season on the backs of young legs and deep benches. That left several decision-makers rethinking their own mix of vets versus kids.

The bottom line? Money is tight, size is back, and the league is skewing younger.

Small ball and splashy free agency moves? Those feel like yesterday’s trends.

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