This is the biggest 2023 CBA change that’s impacted available cap space during free agency. It’s incentivized more guys to extend before free agency, leaving a smaller % of cap space for free agency across the league.

A lot of players that comment about the 2nd apron and the 2023 CBA are actually upset about the extension rules that have left a smaller % of the cap available during free agency. The total salaries are guaranteed set by the CBA BRI split, but the best stars, starters, and rookie deal players are eating up that $ years before via extensions. Rookie extension rules haven’t changed, but the vet extension rules changed to incentivize more veterans to extend years before their contract ends. That’s put pressure on available cap space. Role guys are really the main guys that reach free agency these days, so they’re the ones that are noticing that free agency isn’t what it once was.