The 2020/2021 NBA season will begin on December 22, 2020 after an agreement was reached with players over scheduling, salary figures and free agency dates.
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the usual season-start date in October was pushed back leading to a delay in the 2019-20 campaign.
The agreement is yet to be approved by the league’s board members.
NBA and NBPA agree on 2020-21 season start and adjustments to CBA.https://t.co/HOaa1V9q8U pic.twitter.com/Z9m0OG8KI8
— NBA (@NBA) November 10, 2020
But the league and its players have a deal in principle that also includes a date of 20 November for when free agents can start negotiating with teams.
The 2020-21 salary cap has also been set at $109.1m (£82.8m).
The 2019-20 season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic in March and concluded in a ‘bubble’ environment in Orlando on 11 October, four months later than the season typically ends.
The Los Angeles Lakers ended a 10-year wait for their 17th NBA title, with LeBron James leading his team to a 4-2 Finals win over the Miami Heat.
With such a short time between the conclusion of the play-offs and the start of next season, there have been reports that some players – such as James – could miss the start of the new campaign in order to rest more.
