By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite the resumption of the 2019-20 season going according to plan, the NBA season initially tabbed as 2020-21 will not begin before Christmas, according to a report by Shams Charania for The Athletic. The overall situation remains fluid.
Delaying the 2020 draft and the start of free-agency directly impacts the next season. The latest report relays that the league told the Board of Governors on Thursday that the next season will be pushed back as well.
Early projections prior to the restart of the 2019-20 season in the Orlando bubble set December 1 as a potential start date for the 2020-21 season. However, Commissioner Adam Silver previously hinted that the plan can prove unrealistic.
Changes will affect proceedings outside the NBA, including Europe, especially players bound to sign with an NBA team. The plan for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and domestic leagues widely brings back schedules close to previous seasons, therefore creates a separation between themselves and the NBA.
As for the international competitions, NBA players representing their country in the Olympic Games moved to 2021 and the preceding qualifying tournaments will depend on whether the next NBA season will potentially roll into the summer. In this case, the NBA will likely consider pausing action during the Olympics.
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