By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA and the NBPA are progressing towards a deal to start the 2020-21 season on December 22 and announce the decision Thursday, reports ESPN. The reduced 72-game regular-season schedule will conclude in mid-May, while the playoffs will be completed prior to the start of the Olympic Games.
The players union was hesitant to accept a December 22 start preferring the Martin Luther King Day on January 18 but with time running out went the other way. Through conference calls with teams, the NBPA will share details of the plan, including December 1 as the date to open training camps and salary reductions for players.
The league is projecting a revenue decline due to restrictions generated by the coronavirus pandemic resulting in the salary escrow but estimates the December 22 start date can save from $500MM to $1 billion dollars. The NBA and the union are still negotiating the salary withholding percentage in the range of 18% for the next two years, adds the latest report.
Once an agreement is in place for the start date, escrow, and salary cap, free agency is expected to be officially set to open on December 1, shortly following the draft scheduled to be held on November 18. Also, lifting the moratorium would allow trades to be completed.
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