The NBA's second apron salary threshold is functioning as a hard salary cap, forcing contenders to part with homegrown stars, and fans almost unanimously hate it.

If you've been online for the past month and even half-paying attention to the NBA, you've probably encountered complaints about the league's imposition of a "second apron" salary threshold that's effectively functioning as a hard salary cap. Contenders are being forced to part ways with homegrown stars, others teams have limited room to improve, and fans almost unanimously hate these changes. With the offseason winding down, this week's Sharp Text explains precisely what the NBA is trying to accomplish, why I hate it, and the stakes for the league as it bets on parity in the shadow of shrinking local TV money, slowing growth, and heavy reliance on national TV revenue.

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