Given the late start to the 2020-21 season, Atlanta Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk indicates that the NBA is reportedly considering a condensed version of an 82-game schedule.
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said on a conference call with reporters this morning that the NBA has indicated to the league's GMs that next year's schedule could be condensed in order to try to keep the league as close to its usual timeline as possible.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 9, 2020
Starting an 82-game campaign in early December and attempting to end the season in mid-June 2021 would be a virtually impossible grind for players to handle.
Yet, that appears to be something that the NBA is actively pursuing, albeit without the expected input of the league’s players.
Schlenk said that could mean more back-to-backs and sets of four games in five nights for teams next season — things the NBA has actively tried to move away from in recent years. https://t.co/xjJ9dQFcla
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 9, 2020
The need for ending the season next June is paramount for the 2020-21 season. That’s because of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to begin on July 23.
Right now, not even the proposed Dec. 1 start to the 2020-21 season is guaranteed, since the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has already indicated that the date is unlikely. This is also an issue that will have to be negotiated between the league and the NBPA.
The prospect of a reduced season isn’t a new concept for the league, which had a 66-game season for the 2011-12 season and a 50-game season in 1999.
In both instances, those shortened seasons were the result of labor-management conflicts. The current suspension of play stems from the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
