via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 25: Commissioner of the NBA Adam Silver speaks onstage for Building Brands and Delighting Fans: Nurturing Talent and Creating Compelling Content in the Digital Age during day 3 of Fast Company Innovation Festival at 92nd Street Y on October 25, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 25: Commissioner of the NBA Adam Silver speaks onstage for Building Brands and Delighting Fans: Nurturing Talent and Creating Compelling Content in the Digital Age during day 3 of Fast Company Innovation Festival at 92nd Street Y on October 25, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)
The NBA did a brilliant job of navigating the postseason amid a pandemic. With all the safety protocols and social distancing measures in the Orlando Bubble, and by also making sure they included fans as a virtual audience, the NBA handled things very well. But now the league has another daunting task on their to-do list. They have to figure out the best timeline possible for the 2020-21 campaign.
The proposed date for the 2020-21 NBA season
The tentatively approved dates by the NBPA are December 22. This includes a reduced 72-game decision. The league office wanted to finalize this date so that this season is short. They want to bring back their normal October-June schedule by the time the 2020-21 season comes.
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The NBPA player rep vote has completed, approving a December 22 start/72-game regular season, source tells ESPN. Next up: NBA/NBPA finishes financial terms on amended CBA, which will take into next week. Expect trade moratorium to be lifted shortly prior to Nov. 18 Draft.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 6, 2020
These dates received pushback from the players. This is because starting the next season, just two months after the previous one isn’t fair to those who were playing in the Bubble in the last few weeks. They won’t get enough time to relax, recuperate, and prepare for the upcoming season. However, after careful consideration, the pre-Christmas start has been agreed upon.
As per ESPN, the NBPA stated, “Additional details remain to be negotiated, and the NBPA is confident that the parties will reach agreement on these remaining issues relevant to the upcoming season.”
Tentative dates for trade restrictions, drafting, and free agency
The teams were given a green-light to conduct in-person interviews from October 16 to November 16. Thus, according to Shams Charania from The Athletic, trade restrictions might be lifted by November 16. The NBA Draft will begin shortly afterwards.
Latest from @ShamsCharania on Players Association approving 72-game NBA season starting on Dec. 22
🏀Trade restrictions expected to be lifted by Nov. 16
🏀Daily COVID-19 testing will continueDetails from the NBPA's call with players ⤵️https://t.co/drug5hMqyw
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) November 6, 2020
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Talking about free agency, Adrian Wojnarowski posted, “The NBA and NBPA are expected to discuss moving up the start of free agency as early as possible to accommodate players joining new teams so close to a Dec. 1 start of training camps, sources tell ESPN.”
The NBA and NBPA are expected to discuss moving up the start of free agency as early as possible to accommodate players joining new teams so close to a Dec. 1 start of training camps, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 6, 2020
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After their success in planning the last season, it won’t be surprising if they pull this off as well. With the schedule almost in place, what’s left are the league’s finances, for which negotiations are still underway.
