By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA is trying to return to action before the end of 2020 according to ESPN and per the Athletic, this return can be as soon as the 22nd of December.
Under the scenario of a season tip-off before Christmas, the regular season will have 72 games instead of 82. This shorter season will give the NBA players the chance to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in the summer of 2021.
All reports however agree to the fact that “there has been some discussion among owners about starting as soon as Christmas Day to take advantage of that historically prime NBA showcase, sources said. Numerous teams contacted by ESPN over the past several days weren’t sure such a timeline was feasible. Others have been pushing for a start around Martin Luther King Day weekend in mid-January”.
With the clock ticking the final decisions may be taken as soon as next week with the 30th of October is considered a key date, because “the NBA and NBPA agreed that day would be the deadline to complete ongoing discussions on modifications to the collective bargaining agreement for the 2020-21 season, a date that requires the league or union to provide 45 days’ notice if either decides to terminate the CBA — a scenario that sources continue to believe is a remote possibility”.
With the NBA keeping its stars away from the Eurobasket qualifiers, which are set to be held in November, having a shorter season and participation in the Olympics seems to be a good trade-off for international basketball.