Two months ago, Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck said that the Celtics’ roster, as currently constructed, is unsustainable.
The penalties that come with being in the NBA’s second luxury tax apron are so severe that Grousbeck predicted no team would stay above that threshold for more than two seasons over the next 40 years.
Cost-cutting moves are likely on the way this summer, and the Celtics’ roster as we know it could change significantly.
But, why? What is it about the second apron penalties that makes staying there so uncomfortable for teams?
Here’s an overview of what the second apron is, what happens to teams who stay there, and what it would take for the Celtics to get out.