With all the changes brought on by the pandemic, here’s another.
A new season of basketball begins in December.
The NBA, along with the National Basketball Players Association, announced last week that the next season will start on Dec. 22.
That’s to make up for changes that occurred when the 2019-20 season was stopped for months due to the coronavirus pandemic, and ultimately ended on Oct. 10, around the time the new season should’ve been getting underway.
Although full regular season schedules haven’t been announced as of yet, what we do know is that teams will play 72 games.
The National Basketball Players Association has voted to tentatively approve NBA’s proposal for the 2020-21 campaign starting on Dec. 22 and playing 72-game season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
NBA set to tip off Christmas week.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2020
According to a press release, negotiations with free agents may begin on Nov. 20, with players being signed starting the afternoon of Nov. 22.
In addition, teams will revert to traveling between cities, according to a report from the Associated Press and Scripps National.
Meanwhile, the league’s draft takes place Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Who’s ready?!