Adam Silver's second-apron stance won't decide the Spurs' future

Adam Silver recently said he's "not embarrassed to say" the second apron was built to be "more NFL-like," and he pointed to eight different NBA champions in the last eight years. He's been clear about being a fan of the current apron restrictions. That's the second time since July the commissioner has defended the system, but Spurs Nation shouldn't lose sleep over that.

Adam Silver doesn't get the final say on the second apron

Silver doesn't get to write the rulebook alone. A collective bargaining agreement operates exactly how the name describes. They need two signatures, and the players' association holds the other pen. The commissioner's desire to keep the rules as they are will be a challenge the NBPA is unlikely to allow.

That will matter for San Antonio's long-term roster-building strategy around their young core.

Silver has dropped a few concerning sound bites, but when you look past them, there's light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of the day, the players and the league have to work together, and the current deal will eventually expire, opening the door for new negotiations where concessions will be made. The commish basically admitted that himself.

"There’s always things that they want. There’s always things that we want. I think in any partnership, there’s trades made along the way," Silver said. That's a negotiator staking out his position.

We've seen it before. In 2011, owners wanted a hard cap, but after a 161-day lockout, they dropped it. The players paid a price for that via a revenue drop from 57% to about 51%, but the hard cap talk still faded.

Nobody can promise that the NBPA wins this time around, but the other side can't promise victory either. Lockouts cost real games, and somebody has to blink. Still, if the union stays united, Silver and the rest of the owners will have to budge in whatever form that takes.

Adam's comments also provided material for the union to use. Silver mentioned there being no "unintended consequence" from the current deal, but a Jaylen Brown trade to Philly says otherwise. LeBron James is set to make just under $4 million after a season where he averaged 21/6/7. Those oddities are directly related to the current CBA, and the players' association will certainly bring them up.

The timing is perfect for the Spurs' young core

Check the payroll calendar. Victor Wembanyama's five-year, $252 million extension starts in 2027-28. Stephon Castle becomes extension-eligible next summer, and Dylan Harper follows in summer 2028, with his raise landing in 2029-30.

Now check the union's calendar. Either side can opt out after the 2028-29 season. If the players push and the league gives ground, a rewritten CBA could be in place right when Harper's extension begins. That's the window to keep Wemby, Castle, and Harper surrounded by quality talent.

Yes, a fight could cost us games in the 2029-30 season, but that's the risk the NBPA may be willing to take. Spurs Nation wants to watch this group grow up together, with every chance to compete for titles for years to come. It would hurt to see the unit disbanded because of the league's formula, so we need the players to hold the line.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow