Steve Ballmer talked about the exit of Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason and how the franchise has had to adapt to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that increases the roster building penalties for teams that spend over a certain amount. During the ownership tenure of Ballmer, the Clippers have held an advantage with his willingness to spend money but his front office has pivoted to try to stay below the punitive second apron to maintain flexibility.
“I think people are going to be very thoughtful about how they continue build their rosters to win,” Ballmer said. “I think people are going to be over the second apron, but when you’re over the second apron, you better feel like you got a clear shot [to win]. You stay up there two years, you better really feel like you got a clear shot. That was kind of what the Players Association and the league was intending to do. Trying to level out the level of competitiveness.
“Guys like me who’ve been very willing to pay the luxury tax — it’s not about the luxury tax anymore. It’s about the penalties in terms of how you get better. I’m not willing to sacrifice getting better. Still willing to pay the money. But it’s more than money now.”
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