Some of my friends were fretting over the 2nd apron and said the Wolves are "borderline crippling their future" because of it. Investing in a championship contender or a team who can make deep runs at the least is huge for Ant's development and will make him a better player in the future. Is it just me, or are people really making it seem like the end of the world? 1-2 years is not the end of the world. Yes, I say this even with the 2nd year repeater tax (the 3rd year repeater tax is the bigger issue).
In broad terms, 2nd apron means you can't combine salaries in trades, use the MLE and it freezes their draft pick 7 years out if they want to make a trade with picks that year. But if a FO is locked into the roster and want to improve through internal development and continuity, they aren't looking to make big trades and sign FAs with the MLE anyway. Whether that is a good idea is to be seen.
If they're in the 2nd apron for 3 years, then it also moves that draft pick 7 years out to #30. I think they'll avoid the 3 year repeat since Conley's 2 year contract ends and they can sign Rudy to a longer, cheaper deal or let him go.
Once they are out of the 2nd apron (say after 1-2 years or in 2026), those penalties don't hold anymore and they go back to combining salaries in a trade and can use the MLE again. I really think people are making it out to be the end of the world when it's not (esp if it's just for 1-2 years). Plus, Wolves FO just brought in Michael Bloomberg, the 13th richest person in the world and the ownership groups said on record that they are committed to paying the tax for 24-25 and beyond if Tim Connelly recommends that.
Almost all championship contending teams pay the 2nd apron, this is not unique to the Wolves. My motto has been to sit back, watch the fun basketball and let the GMs do their job. If a year from now, Tim Connelly believes paying the 2nd apron for another year is a good idea and the owners said they are committed to do so, then great! What's the problem? Just enjoy the fun basketball, it's been a long time coming for us.
by JaderMcDanersStan
6 Comments
Easy for you to say, it’s not your money
After 2/35 years of premier performance and 12/35 years in the playoffs. Fuck it’s not my my money. I only pay for league pass and not season tickets due to being out of state. So LFG.
Next off season is the big one anyways. I fully expect them to run the team back this year. This upcoming season will determine if the roster needs to be reconstructed.
If we win, worth it.
ITS ALL IN NOW!!!!! I think it is at least because I’m having fun with this team. Idgaf about the future
This is great. I think we’re all getting too excited about the tax, it’s not our money. These dudes own 1 of 30 NBA franchises, they’re rare and worth a lot of money, and will continue to be worth a lot of money.
Keep the core together and pay what you gotta, this is the best team I’ve ever seen and I want to watch them develop. Can you imagine what Ant, Jaden, Naz and Naw will be like in 5 years together?
That pick 7 years out is 30 anyway