Which NBA teams are over the first and second apron in 2026-27?
Ben Bartlett · Data as of October 14, 2026
As of October 14, 2026, 1 team is over the 2026-27 second apron of $221.7M (Nuggets), and 6 more are over the first apron of $209.0M (Warriors, Magic, Knicks, Timberwolves, Suns, Thunder). Another 9 sit above the luxury tax line but below the aprons.
Over the second apron
These teams can't combine salaries in a trade, can't send cash, can't use any mid-level exception, and must match incoming salary dollar for dollar. Their first-round pick seven drafts out is frozen while they stay there.
Over the first apron
These teams lose expanded trade matching, can't acquire a player by sign-and-trade, and can't use a traded-player exception created before this offseason. They can still aggregate salaries, but doing so hard-caps them at the second apron.
Every team, ranked by apron salary
Apron salary is measured the way the CBA builds it — signed salary plus unlikely bonuses and minimum add-backs — on signed contracts only. Unrenounced cap holds don't move a team up a tier here, so a team holding a free agent's rights can sit one tier lower than reporting that counts the hold. The /accuracy page lists the live cases.
Common questions
Which NBA teams are over the second apron in 2026-27?
On signed salary as of October 14, 2026: Nuggets.
Which NBA teams are over the first apron in 2026-27?
Between the aprons as of October 14, 2026: Warriors, Magic, Knicks, Timberwolves, Suns, Thunder. Teams over the second apron are over the first too.
Can a team get back under the apron during the season?
Yes. Apron status is measured whenever a move is made, so a team can trade or waive its way below a line, and the restrictions lift for later moves. A hard cap is different: once a move triggers one, the team can't go above that line at any point that season.
Test a deal against these rules.
Build a trade or signing and the sim rules on it, with the relevant citation when one applies.