Stevens told he can spend, but how much?
The Celtics knew they would be limited in their free agent pursuits unless they got creative. They began their quest to bolster the roster after the Marcus Smart trade by signing Indiana’s Oshae Brissett to a twoyear deal, a move that typifies the organization’s agenda to get bigger and tougher.
The Celtics do not want to reach the second salary apron — they are past the first — because of the heavy restrictions, such as the inability to use their $5 million mid-level exception and the inability to combine salaries when using a trade exception. Teams also cannot use trade exceptions generated in the past year and are unable to use a first-round pick for seven years in any trade.
Finally, if a team is in the second apron for three years out of a five-year period, its first-round pick, regardless of team record, drops to the end of the round. In other words, the NBA and the players’ union are trying to encourage parity and prevent high-spending teams such as the Warriors from having a decided advantage over teams that want to prevent paying luxury taxes or do not have those same revenue streams.
Celtics forward and NBPA board member Grant Williams, who could be personally affected by the new collective bargaining agreement and the Celtics’ disinterest in approaching the second apron, said the agreement is beneficial for all teams instead of only those in larger markets.
“It encourages more parity across organizations, across the league,” Williams said. “It allows teams to truly be competitive and makes every single night even more competitive than it has been. To have five new champions in a matter of seven years, you see [commissioner] Adam [Silver’s] direction, and he wants it to be across the league where there’s some fandom in every single market.”
Williams, a Charlotte, N.C., native, said he wants kids to grow up believing their hometown team has a chance to win an NBA championship, regardless of the city. That hasn’t always been the case.
“Not a North Carolina kid being a fan of the Lakers,” Williams said. “A North Carolina kid should be a fan of the Hornets. I compare it to European soccer where you grow up in a certain area, you’re a Man City fan, or a Man U fan, no matter what’s going on. As well as being able to have that, you’ve got to see who’s really willing to compete and pay. The apron doesn’t prevent you from doing what you want to do, but it makes it harder.
“If you really want to accomplish those things and have superstars on your team, you have to pay for it, which I think helps owners across the league, but I think helps players understand the value that the teams have and truly show that commitment to the guys in their organization.”
Williams is a restricted free agent, meaning clubs can offer him a contract, with the Celtics having 24 hours (down from the previous 48) to match or allow him to leave. A long-term commitment to Williams — depending on the price — may push the Celtics to the second apron.
They could match the offer, hope Williams helps the Celtics to a championship, then trade the contract next summer to avoid the second apron. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Thursday he has the “green light” to spend to improve the team, and Williams may be one of the more quality forwards on the market.
But the new CBA has dissuaded teams from reckless spending, meaning the Celtics will have to be creative to enhance their roster and avoid heavy restrictions in the next half-decade.