(Author: Chandra Moulee Das)
A new dawn is on the horizon for the NBA, as the league and its players have sealed a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), ensuring that the most financially prosperous era in NBA history will last another six years.
After an arduous year of negotiations that grew steadily in intensity and expectation, the long-awaited agreement was finally reached on Saturday morning. The agreement came shortly after the league announced its intention to leave the current CBA on June 30, but instead both parties found common ground.
As the league stated, “The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, pending ratification by players and team representatives.”
Teams will play an 80-game season if the current agreement is maintained.
If the current plan remains unchanged, teams can expect to receive an 80-game schedule for next season in August. Eventually, all teams will play a full 82-game schedule with the two teams that reach the final of the tournament playing an additional 83rd game that will not affect the standings.
According to a source familiar with the facts – who spoke to the Associated Press – players generally need to appear in at least 65 games to qualify for the main individual awards, such as the MVP award. In addition, the maximum contract extension values will increase and teams can now have a third two-way contract. This change could result in a potential increase in the size of the list from 17 to 18.
However, the new agreement will not include the return of the policy that allowed high school players to enter the NBA draft. Although discussed and a recurring agenda item for months, the rule will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future, probably until the end of the next CBA mandate.