NBA Notes: Salary Cap, Timberwolves, LaMelo Ball, Lakers, Austin Reaves

NBA Salary Cap

Not everyone is a fan of the NBA’s second tax apron. Commissioner Adam Silver is.

While the National Basketball Players Association has expressed interest in revisiting some of the league’s newest salary-cap restrictions, Silver said Tuesday he believes the current system is accomplishing exactly what it was designed to do.

“The purpose of the system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league,” Silver said, via ESPN’s Ben Golliver. “One of the things we were hoping to accomplish in this latest collective bargaining agreement was to dispel this notion that only certain markets were in a position to truly compete.”

Several contenders have spent the offseason maneuvering around the apron restrictions, which continue to play a major role in roster construction across the NBA.

Timberwolves

The Timberwolves had several stars on their radar this offseason before ultimately landing LaMelo Ball.

According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Minnesota explored a number of high-profile possibilities, including Jaylen Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Josh Giddey, before focusing its attention on Ball once Charlotte became open to moving him.

“He’s a lead guard, he’s a real point guard, which is hard to find,” president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said. “We think he’s going to help elevate us.”

Coach Chris Finch echoed that enthusiasm, saying Ball fills several needs while giving Minnesota another playmaker alongside Anthony Edwards.

“We don’t get just a point guard,” Finch said. “We get an All-Star-level point guard.”

The Wolves believe Ball’s playmaking ability — and the joy he brings to the game — could make him an ideal fit as they continue chasing their first NBA championship.

Lakers

Austin Reaves knows things will be different this season.

With LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura all gone, Reaves is the only player remaining who started playoff games for the Lakers last spring.

That means additional responsibility.

“Everybody knows it’s a completely different team,” Reaves said. “There’s going to be different things asked of different people.”

Reaves also said he never seriously considered leaving Los Angeles in free agency.

“My heart was in L.A. the whole time,” he said.