Rockets' Kevin Durant Praises Controversial NBA Salary Cap Rules

The Houston Rockets star says he's "thanking God" for the second apron and the parity it brings to the league.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:08pm

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Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has expressed his support for the NBA's controversial salary cap rules, including the second apron, stating that they have helped create more parity in the league. Durant believes the rules have made it harder for teams to assemble dominant rosters, which he sees as a positive development that makes the league more fun to watch.

Why it matters

The NBA's salary cap rules, particularly the second apron, have been a topic of debate in recent years, with some arguing that they unfairly penalize teams for smart roster building. However, Durant's comments suggest that at least one star player sees the rules as a positive, as they have helped create more competitive balance across the league.

The details

Durant praised the second apron and other cap restrictions, saying they have made it harder for teams to assemble truly dominant squads. He believes this has led to more parity in the league, making it more fun for fans to watch as they can't predict which teams will be around at the end of the season. Ironically, Durant's own stint with the Golden State Warriors was a major factor in the league's decision to implement the second apron in the first place, as the Warriors' dominance during that period was seen by many as detrimental to the league's competitiveness.

  • The Houston Rockets currently sit at 38-22 on the season.

The players

Kevin Durant

A star forward for the Houston Rockets who has expressed his support for the NBA's controversial salary cap rules, including the second apron, stating that they have helped create more parity in the league.

Fred VanVleet

A player for the Houston Rockets who has missed significant time this season due to injury.

Steven Adams

A player for the Houston Rockets who has also missed significant time this season due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“Thank God for second aprons and the first aprons. We wanted some parity and I think the last few years we've gotten exactly that.”

— Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets Forward

“I mean, it's fun for everybody watching the game, not knowing exactly who's going to be around at the end of the season. And as a team, it gives you confidence to know that even though you don't play your best ball around this time, nobody really is.”

— Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets Forward

What’s next

The Rockets will next take the floor on Thursday to face the Golden State Warriors.

The takeaway

Kevin Durant's support for the NBA's controversial salary cap rules, including the second apron, suggests that at least one star player sees the regulations as a positive development that has helped create more parity and competitiveness in the league, even if the rules have been criticized by others for unfairly penalizing teams for smart roster building.