NBA’s New Labor Rules Make Sustained Dominance Elusive, Executives Say
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NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2025 — A league once defined by dynasties now finds annual turnover at the top, and many team officials point to the latest collective bargaining agreement for the shift.
Seven champions in seven seasons
Since the Golden State Warriors repeated in 2017 and 2018, seven different franchises have raised the Larry O’Brien Trophy — the longest stretch without a back-to-back winner in NBA history. Eleven clubs have appeared in the Finals during that span, and the defending champion has not reached even the conference finals in any of the past six postseasons. The last comparable run of parity came from 1975 to 1980, when six franchises won titles.
Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN last month that “parity of opportunity” was an explicit goal in the most recent labor talks. “When more teams have a genuine chance at winning a championship, the competition on the court is more compelling,” he said.
Cap aprons force hard decisions
The 2023 CBA introduced first- and second-apron spending lines that restrict roster building for high-payroll clubs. Those provisions have already altered plans:
- The Boston Celtics, headed for the league’s first $500 million roster, traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis and lost veterans Al Horford and Luke Kornet in free agency to trim hundreds of millions in future salary.
- The Cleveland Cavaliers, the only team above the second apron, watched Sixth Man finalist Ty Jerome sign with Memphis because they could not match the offer.
- The Denver Nuggets attached an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to Michael Porter Jr. to acquire Cameron Johnson and significant savings, funds earmarked for a planned extension for Christian Braun next summer.
“You have to be right on every decision,” a Western Conference scout said. “You literally can’t mess anything up.”
Star trios give way to depth
The new math is also changing free-agency strategies. The LA Clippers declined to re-sign Paul George, who then accepted a four-year, $212 million maximum deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Los Angeles prioritized future flexibility, while Philadelphia received only 41 games from George before another knee surgery and now carries more than $100 million annually for George and center Joel Embiid.
Other clubs are doubling down on balanced rosters. The New York Knicks assembled a starting five of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns while staying under the second apron. The Orlando Magic traded for Desmond Bane to join Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. “Our goal isn’t to win the East — the goal is to win a championship,” Magic president Jeff Weltman said.
Imagem: espn.com
Oklahoma City’s measured path
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder locked up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to extensions this summer while surrounding them with veterans on short, affordable contracts and a cache of draft picks. The structure should keep Oklahoma City out of the repeater tax until late in the decade.
Leaguewide talent pool is deeper — and older
The Western Conference remains crowded after a busy offseason. The Houston Rockets added Kevin Durant, the Los Angeles Lakers reorganized around Luka Dončić and LeBron James, and the Golden State Warriors expect a full season of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green. Three 2024-25 All-NBA selections — James, Curry and James Harden — were 35 or older, while emerging stars such as Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams and Evan Mobley are under 25.
Will a new dynasty emerge?
Executives are divided on whether parity boosts the league’s business, but Silver notes that seven champions in seven years “is a good indication that we are headed in the right direction.” With the salary cap projected to climb and apron levels indexed to that growth, front offices will soon learn whether today’s restrictions permanently block extended runs or merely raise the bar for building one.
Source: ESPN.com
