An agreement has been reached for the 2020/21 season to begin on 22 December 2020.
This comes in the wake of establishing a level playing ground with players over fixture scheduling, wage structure and free agency dates for the new NBA season.
The traditional October curtain-raiser date was pushed back for the new season because the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic caused the conclusion of the 2019/2020 season to be delayed.
The NBA and its players’ union have now, however, agreed to a deal in principle for a new dunk off date, as well as to the idea of a 72-game season.
Though despite how imminent the agreement seems, it is still waiting to be endorsed by the board members.
There is also a deal in principle between the league and its players that includes a 20th November 2020 free agency commencement date.
A salary cap of $109.1m has also been put in place for the new 2020/21 season.
Last season was interrupted in March by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and had to be completed months later than usual in a ‘bubble’ environment in Orlando.
LeBron James inspired the LA Lakers to a 4-2 finals win over the Miami Heat, winning their first NBA title in 17 years.
Due to preseason being cut short, reports have suggested that certain players, such as James, could need more time to rest, hence miss the beginning of the new season.
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