via SF portal:
He bought himself a small breathing room. Paul’s contract may have been one of the worst in the NBA, and by getting the team out from under him, Dunleavy may have enabled the Warriors to avoid the steep penalties in the future that come with the “second” cap line in the new bargaining agreement, which is two steps over the threshold. Really harsh luxury tax. (Paul’s massive four-year extension begins this season, while Paul’s contract is not guaranteed after this year.)
So even if these are the twilight years of this Warriors era, Dunleavy has already bought himself quite a celebrity with owner Joe Lacob. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the goal was to be under the second apron within a year, and the trade appeared to set up the Warriors to get there on schedule. ESPN cover expert Bobby Marks came to the same conclusion, leading his spot trade analysis with “blame the second apron,” explaining that the trade would keep the Warriors under the second apron for most of the next half-decade.