The NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have agreed to a modification to the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in order to begin the season on December 22nd according to a memo circulated by the league.
The most important points include the formal approval of the start date, a 72-game schedule, a $109.1 million salary cap and a $132 million luxury tax, and free agency beginning on November 20th, two days after the 2020 NBA draft, and signings to be allowed two days after that on November 22nd.
It also includes keeping the escrow system used to prevent overpaying players in the event of a shortfall, but with the potential for raising it up to 20% in future seasons to make up for any discrepancies.
Talks on opening the NBA’s transaction window — trades, contract opt-ins and outs, etc. — are progressing toward firming a date two or three days prior to the November 18 draft, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 10, 2020
Interestingly, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski details that the moratorium on trades will likely be lifted along with options dates being set a few days before the 2020 draft.
Meaning teams will have a better idea of how free agency and team-building through the draft might be affected.
For the Boston Celtics, this is impactful for several reasons.
Most importantly, it will allow them to shift draft-night plans to account for whether they believe players like Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter should be on their rosters when the coming season ends (more on that shortly).
NBA’s historically-short offseason a lingering concern around league https://t.co/HcQTpt0WEc
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 9, 2020
And for a team with three first round picks it can’t really use, that could really do a lot for the team in terms of helping them decide whether to deal some or all of them away for veteran help.
The news also means Boston is almost certain to be a taxpaying team, barring Hayward opting out and leaving in free agency.
It removes much of the incentive for Hayward to sign out and opt in at a lower rate to avoid getting hit with a 20% escrow withholding rate no longer under consideration for this season, according to Celtics Blog’s Keith Smith.
Meaning an opt-out is a clear sign he plans to leave the team.
For example: If Golden State used the $17.2M trade exception and revenue decreased by 30%, they could save close to $50M.
This will help out the Warriors, Boston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia plus possibly a team like Milwaukee. https://t.co/uxII5oQXzl
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 10, 2020
The most important issue is that this means Boston will now know what they have to work with come draft night, and could use Hayward’s and Kanter’s salary, again per Smith, to be included in a trade before the draft so long as they opt into their current deal.
The Celtics being in position to move Hayward and/or Kanter on draft night is not an option in a normal offseason.
Typically, the draft happens first and then players opt into or out of their current deals, shifting the balance of power firmly in the direction of Boston’s front office.
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