The 2020-21 NBA season would begin at least until Christmas Day.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the NBA League told the Board of Governors at a convention convened Thursday next season that “won’t start before” December 25.
Charania added that the November 18 date for the 2020 NBA draft also remained “smooth. “
When the Board of Governors approved a back-to-game plan in June, Commissioner Adam Silver defined several key dates for off-season activities and the start of next season.
The draft targeted October 15, and the normal season would “probably” begin on December 1.
Prior to the August 20 draw, Silver told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols (Brian Windhorst of ESPN. com) that december 1 “seemed a little early” to begin next season.
“I think our number one purpose is to bring enthusiasts back to our arenas. . . So my feeling is, running with the players’ association, if we can delay a little longer and increase the likelihood of having enthusiasts in the arenas,” that’s what we’d aim for,” he said.
By Henry Abbott of True Hoop, Michele Roberts, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, told players at an August assembly that next season could begin at any time between January and early March.
A fear about early March is the Tokyo Olympics, which are recently scheduled from July 23 to August 8.
The 2020 playoffs can end on October 13 if the NBA Finals last seven games.