The roster construction dilemna

This isn't specific to the Raptors but with the new aprons I think this is going to squeeze the middle class and we will see less $25-$35 million contracts over time.

Here is an example of a team that is under the salary cap based on % of cap (2025 salary in millions brackets)

2025 cap $155million

Starting line up: 25% ($39) max rookie extension contract 15% ($23)
15% ($23) 8% ($12.5) rookie lottery draft pick salary 8% ($12.5) non taxpayer MLE

Bench: 10% ($16) 6th man 5% ($8) 5% ($8) Rest of roster making minimum contracts 4 players at 2% ($3million each)

This is a roster a team at the salary cap will have which has 2 lottery picks in past 5 years one who turns.out to be borderline all star with a rookie.max extension.

Changing just one of the 15% cap salaries to a max puts you at the luxury tax.

TLDR in the new NBA will fill bottom 2/3s of roster with minimum contracts and rookies to be able to afford a decent starting linenup. No more middle class.