The NBA just crowned its 2019-20 champion earlier this month, but the league is already planning for the 2020-21 season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA aims for a December start to the new season on a 70-72 game format. Woj tweeted on Friday,
“The NBA is planning to continue discussions with NBPA on 2020-2021 start plans that would include an opening night in the days prior to Christmas, 70-to-72 regular-season games and a play-in tournament, sources tell ESPN.”
The league’s Board of Governors is staring at an Oct. 30 deadline to finalize plans for the new season. If there is a 70-72 game format, the season could end just before the Tokyo Olympics. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, “The NBA is targeting Dec. 22 for the start of the 2020-21 season and a 72-game campaign that finishes before the ‘21 Olympics, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.”