The 2019-20 NBA season will go down in history as the longest season ever, with the interruption of COVID-19 the season was suspended before big completed in the bubble in Orlando.
The season was finally completed when the Los Angeles Lakers won their 17th NBA title only weeks ago.
The NBA have released dates of the return of the league however have stressed that the dates are very flexible at this stage.
- Oct. 16-Nov. 16:ย Teams can begin to conduct in-person interviews with draft prospects
- Nov. 18:ย NBA Draft
- TBA:ย Beginning of free agency
- TBA:ย Training camps for 2020-21 season begin
- TBA:ย Opening night for 2020-21 season
Executive director of the NBPA Michele Roberts recently said late January or early February are the ideal times for the 2020-21 season to start. Roberts also said free agency wuld need to begin before December, giving franchisesย time to plan for the NBA Draft and free agency givenย salary cap is set to drop due to the pandemic.
The league and the players union did agree that players would received an eight-week notice ahead of when the new season would start. This gives players two months to get back into their work before any training camps and pre-season games would go ahead should they be permitted.
There have been reports the league were keen to start the season on December 22nd in a bid to fit in a 72-game season that would be over in time for the Olympics.
No decisions have been made yet.
