Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has been one of the most vocal critics of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which came into effect in 2023. This CBA, which runs through the 2029-30 season, notably introduced the second apron, and Green stated on Threads that it has ruined free agency.
“I’m sitting in my mancave having a conversation with my wife. Baffled at the fact that NBA free agency is over. Quite frankly, it never really started. The level of anticipation leading up to July 1st were as exciting as the fireworks on the 4th. It was the excitement of the NBA Finals, yet only a week after watching a team spray champagne and ride on floats.
“One can only point to the ‘New CBA’ and the 2nd apron(hard cap) for absolutely putting an end to Free Agency, as we once knew it. Sadly, I sit here and watch so many players overplay the market and not understand what they are up against with the new rules. Which leads me to trying to understand the unstaggering percentage of guys that has no idea of THE BUSINESS they are a part of.
“And I as a ‘VET’ in this league watch players mismanage their careers and before they know it, look back like DAMN, where to next? I can go so far with this, but I really don’t feel like typing it all right now. Because there’s so many arms to this topic. An Insane amount, and then add in my personal experience with it.
“I have what I think is an extremely unique perspective on this. I am obviously a player, a former amazing general manager is one of my close friends. I am very close with previous owners and current ones. I was introduced to the business at 16 by Joe [Dumars], so yeah, all that to say, it’s interesting to watch and also be a part of. Maybe I’ll write some long piece, or maybe I’ll just do a podcast lol.
“But regardless of where I decide to let these thoughts out, I should’ve been the Players Association president lol. I could’ve helped a lot. The league is great, it’s been great to all of us. Amazing partnership amongst players, staff, front office, ownership, and Fans that make the well-oiled machine soar. And rightfully so, but it’s baffling to me how little players know about this business and how it affects them, and ways most don’t understand.
“Funny thing is, I said this before the last CBA. Kinda beating a dead horse, I suppose lol. And also, before y’all run and make this about JK, it isn’t. He’s 22 and will be great and make a bunch of money, so this ain’t got nothing to do with him.”
NBPA President CJ McCollum has come under fire for this new CBA, and Green appears to think he’d have done a far better job. He certainly would have tried his best to ensure things wouldn’t have gone down this route with the second apron.
These rules were put in place to curb the spending of teams like the Warriors. Their owners had been willing to spend enormous amounts in the form of luxury tax, but now had to worry about the penalties that came with the apron. That, in turn, hurts the players as well.
Green had stated that the Warriors would be the last NBA dynasty because of the new CBA, and there is a good chance they will be. Front offices are now forced to break apart their teams to avoid the second apron penalties, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 NBA champions, will have to do so as well, sooner rather than later.
