NBA pushes back draft, free agency, season

The NBA and NBPA have agreed to push back key dates such as Oct. 16 draft, Oct. 18 free agency and 2020-21 season. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the tentative revised date for the draft will be Nov. 18.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the NBA’s league office informed Board of Governors today that the 2020-21 season won’t begin earlier than Christmas Day and that the start date for next season "remains fluid."

In an interview with David Gelles of the New York Times, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said that the league is unlikely to begin its 2020-21 campaign in December. She does, however, believe that reopening "some" arenas at reduced capacity will be plausible later in the season following the league's adherence to "division bubbles."

ANALYSIS: Moving back these dates will ensure that there's sound decision-making in NBA front offices and nothing is rushed due to the quick turnaround after the conclusion of the season.

When the NBA released their initial schedule, some players and team officials were surprised/worried about the super-condensed schedule. It appears that the NBA listened to their concerns and adjusted accordingly.