The 2019/20 NBA season – the longest in league history – finally came to an end on Sunday night, with the Lakers completing a 4-2 Finals win over the Heat. The last game of the season came nearly one full year after the regular season opener tipped off on October 22, 2019, and 468 days after the ’19/20 league year officially got underway on July 1, 2019.
The coronavirus pandemic, of course, dictated the unusual terms of the NBA’s stretch run, but after pausing its season for several months, the league was able to work around the situation admirably.
From the time that teams began to arrive at the “bubble” at Walt Disney World on July 7 through the end of the NBA Finals, only two players tested positive for COVID-19 — and both of those cases were diagnosed during the initial quarantine period in July, before players were free to move about the Disney campus. For the past three months, there have been no coronavirus cases among NBA players in Orlando.
While the NBA pulled off the bubble experiment with aplomb, there’s no time for the league or the players’ union to sit back and celebrate their accomplishments. The two sides must now focus on renegotiating aspects of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in preparation for what will be an unusual offseason.
Typically, an offseason’s key dates and deadlines are established months in advance. However, most of the NBA’s 2020 offseason dates remain up in the air. The 2020 draft has been set for November 18, but it remains unclear when free agency will begin and when option decision dates, salary guarantee deadlines, and trade exception expiration dates will occur.
[RELATED: Michele Roberts expects free agency period to start no later than December 1]
In a normal league year, a team can begin making trades once their season is over, so all 30 teams are free to make deals once the NBA Finals conclude. This time around, a transaction moratorium remains in place, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).
The NBA and NBPA, who will have to negotiate new salary cap and luxury tax figures for the 2020/21 season, along with several other financial and logistical details for the coming season, will also be responsible for determining when that moratorium will end. When it does, trade season can begin in earnest.
Even once the two sides agree to new dates for free agency and other aspects of the offseason, we don’t have a clear sense of exactly how long the offseason will last. The start date for the 2020/21 season is still unknown, with both Adam Silver and Michele Roberts having confirmed that it will almost certainly land sometime in the new year.
The NBA and NBPA would both like to see fans back in arenas by the time next season tips off, so they’re willing to be patient to see if ongoing advancements in coronavirus testing and treatment will make that possible. Although all parties would like to get next season underway in January, it’s entirely possible that target date will be pushed back to February or March.
We’re still more than five weeks away from draft day, but I expect it won’t be too long before we start hearing updates on the negotiations between the league and the union and a potential timeline for free agency. Stay tuned to Hoops Rumors for all the latest news.
According to Sportsbook
The worst team in 2020 is already top 4 Title contenders in 2021
The worst team in 2020 is comparable to Lakers
According to Sportsbook
The worst team in 2020 had a better chance to win championship in 2021 than Heat
What are we talking about GSW? Lol of course they have a Top-4 chance to win. Healthy Klay, Steph, Draymond, Wiggins, and #2 overall pick?
I’m not sure if I would go that far. People forget that a year off from professional sports is really a lot to overcome. Both Curry and Thompson have missed most of a entire calendar year and then some. Heck, when I take 3 months off for a strained hammy it takes me 4 months to get back up to speed and not be a turnover king because I’m not used to the quickness and pace.
Will the Warriors make the playoffs next year? Yes. Will they be a top-four seed in the west? Not sure about that, let alone top four in the entire league. I’ve got my fingers crossed for maybe a 5 or 6 seed and have a good showing, maybe make it to the Conference Finals.
Then the next year with a season under their belts again even though they’ll be 32, 33 years old, they’ll be able to get it done. But there’s a lot of time between now and then and it won’t be all Rosy. Can you imagine Draymond Green with the full Squad and not winning 65% of their games? Could have a major implosion as Wiggins slips back into being Minnesota Wiggins.
Gary what you said can be said for every top 4 team. the big what if questions. free agency is going to hurt a number of teams this year.
… Because that’s what people are reading this article to find out. Thanks
The Draft should happen right after the Finals because NHL did and expand to like 3 rounds and also shown live on NBATV to.
Isn’t the draft Friday? Not quick enough for you?
It was originally supposed to be (10/16) but it was moved to 11/18.
Seriously? Wow I guess it’s me this time who needs to update the web browser !! LOL. Thanks for the note.
I’ve got to agree with Gary. Until they prove themselves we don’t know how good Golden State will be, and I think they will make the playoffs but not finish as one of the top 4 teams in the West. We might be underestimating how tough it will be for the Warriers to get to full health and full chemistry. Lakers, Clippers, Dallas, Denver, etc. all have to be accounted for. A lot has happened in the last year. Good luck to your team!
Can’t wait for trades and free agency. One of my favorite part of the season.