NBPA approves Dec. 22 start for NBA season

The National Basketball Players Association has voted to tentatively approve NBA’s proposal for the 2020-21 campaign starting on Dec. 22 and playing 72-game season, sources tell The Athletic and Stadium. NBA set to tip off Christmas week.

Next up: NBA/NBPA finishes financial terms on amended CBA, which will take into next week. Expect trade moratorium to be lifted shortly prior to Nov. 18 Draft.

The NBA and NBPA will now work to finalize health and safety protocols for the 2020-21 season. Sides are discussing a 17-to-18 percent escrow of player salaries over the next two years — with the hope the withholding amount is down to normal 10 percent in 2022-23.

Source: Shams Charania of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN

ANALYSIS: The NBPA had been discussing the two options proposed by the league: a Dec. 22, 72-game season versus the Jan. 18, 50-game alternative. Ultimately, the longer season and earlier start won out. This means that training camp is also slated to begin on December 1.