The NBA issued a statement Friday disputing claims that the second apron had adverse effects upon the league’s middle-class players. The league said salaries have grown for players at every pay level since the rule took effect.

“Recent reports asserted that the second apron is hurting ‘lower’ and ‘middle’ class players,” said the NBA in a post on X. “That’s untrue. Since the implementation of the second apron, the number of players on team rosters has remained the same and annual salaries have increased by nearly $1.3 billion resulting in pay increases of approximately 30% for all classes of players.”

The statement came a day after comments from veteran guard Bruce Brown. Brown was asked after Thursday’s preseason game between the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards whether players were frustrated by the second apron.

“I’m sure there is,” said Brown. “The new CBA is good for max guys, new free agents and rookie extension guys. The middle guys, it kind of sucks for us. There’s not a lot of people getting that full midlevel.”

Brown played all 82 games for the Denver Nuggets last season but did not land a guaranteed contract this summer. Brown signed a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Knicks and is competing for the defending champions’ final roster spot.

The second apron was introduced as part of the 2023 collective bargaining agreement. Teams above the threshold, set at $209 million this season, lose access to most trades and free-agent signings and can see future draft picks pushed to the end of the first round.

No team enters the 2026-27 season above the second apron. Knicks owner James Dolan said in June that his team could not cross the threshold.

However, more teams have moved into the luxury tax since 2023. That threshold, which carries lighter penalties, sits just over $200 million.