In recent years, players, pundits and observers have supported the idea of having a shorter NBA season. And while it doesn’t look like that will happen in the near future, reports have surfaced that negotiations are underway that would make the season start earlier next year.
According to an ESPN report, part of the negotiations for the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) include potentially moving the season opener earlier by up to 10 days, a move that is designed to reduce the number of back-to-back games for teams. As reported by Marc Stein of ESPN, opening night for next season could fall somewhere between Oct. 15-20, which could be achieved by shortening the preseason schedule to five or six exhibition games, from the current maximum of eight games.
The report notes that NBA teams are scheduled to play an average of 16.3 back-to-backs this season, a number that is down from the 17.8 back-to-backs in the 2015-16 season. The potential move to an earlier start to the season would also reduce the number of instances where teams play four games in five nights.
A Ball Don’t Lie article points out that apart from affording NBA athletes more rest in between games, the schedule adjustment would also directly result in better performances as teams typically struggle in the second game of a back-to-back. The NBA last started its season in mid-October in the 1960s.
Marc Stein also reports that the new CBA could also include a clause that would enable teams to sign first round draft picks to extensions after year two of their rookie deals. NBA teams are currently allowed to sign players in rookie deals to extensions after year three.
“One of the things we’re talking about, without being too specific in bargaining right now, is coming up with some additional opportunities for the incumbent team to retain the player, some advantages in terms of being able to negotiate earlier to extend the contract,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told SiriusXM NBA Radio.