10-01-2026, 09:51 AM
IMO, the reality of the 2nd Apron penalties has quickly changed the definition of who is a "max money" player. When good teams, like OKC and BOS are trading away starter-level players for salary cap reasons, then they also have to take a hard look at how to apportion the $$ in the future. This has significantly altered free agency so that it is not the leverage it once was. Large contracts aren't going to be handed out like candy anymore. It feels like there are more incentive driven contracts than there used to be.
Unless you are a Curry, LeBron or Luka type talent, then getting a max contract will be harder. Even then guys like these will have a "sell by" date. LBJ is playing for peanuts while chasing one last ring. Luka is up for a super max, but will LAL's actually pay it/ (Maybe, because they are LA and have no other stars now). Curry is still getting paid because he's still an all world scoring talent, but it helps that there is 17 years of history there (and 4 titles).
The problem is some of the players and their agents haven't yet gotten the memo.
Unless you are a Curry, LeBron or Luka type talent, then getting a max contract will be harder. Even then guys like these will have a "sell by" date. LBJ is playing for peanuts while chasing one last ring. Luka is up for a super max, but will LAL's actually pay it/ (Maybe, because they are LA and have no other stars now). Curry is still getting paid because he's still an all world scoring talent, but it helps that there is 17 years of history there (and 4 titles).
The problem is some of the players and their agents haven't yet gotten the memo.
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