:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67703517/usa_today_14654028.0.jpg)
A “substantial faction” of players, including some stars, are pushing for the 2020-21 NBA season to start on Jan. 18 (Matin Luther King Jr. Day), according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. The Yahoo insider also reports that NBA Free Agency would kick off on Dec. 1 under this proposal:
Yahoo Sources: Substantial faction of players and star players pushing for NBA season to start Jan. 18 — MLK Day — with a free-agency commencement of Dec. 1.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 28, 2020
Recent word, prior to Haynes’ report on Wednesday, said that the league is targeting a Dec. 22 start date for next season, a little more than two months after the 2020 season concluded on Oct. 11. Following the accelerated Dec. 22 timeline, some teams have been preparing for free agency to start 48-72 hours after the NBA Draft, which is set for Nov. 18. Additionally, Dec. 1 is a rumored start date for training camps if the league follows the Dec. 22 plan.
The league’s Board of Governors and the National Basketball Players Association will both have to agree on next season’s start date. Michele Roberts, the executive director of the NBPA, recently said that revenue and player health are two main issues involved in discussions regarding next season.