NBA players are expected to come up with a decision on the start date of the 2020/21 season this week, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
As Charania reports, the NBPA will hold a vote later in the week (Thursday or Friday) concerning a late December start to the season.
Many players consider a December 22 start as ‘inevitable’, the NBA insider notes.
“The National Basketball Players Association is planning to hold a vote on Thursday night or Friday morning regarding the Dec. 22 start format to the 2020-21 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, sources told The Athletic.
The NBPA, led by executive director Michele Roberts, started formal conference calls with players from all 30 teams this week. Players have been holding calls with the NBPA beginning Monday and will go through Thursday morning. Players coming out of several meetings believe a Dec. 22 start is inevitable, sources said,” Charania says.
If the season tips off on December 22, then the regular season will include 72 games and the playoffs will come to an end a few days before the start of the Tokyo Olympics (July 23, 2021).