Getty Image / Tim Nwachukwu
Late Friday night into very early Saturday morning, the NBA and NBA Players’ Association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that will bring about some sweeping changes to the league.
Some of the changes are expected, like the one that is going to require players to play in 65 games in order to be eligible for top awards. That will significantly discourage top players sitting for load management reasons.
NBA and NBPA have agreed to a minimum number of games played – 65 games – for players to be eligible to win major individual league awards such as MVP in the new CBA, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 1, 2023
But, arguably the biggest change is going to be a new midseason tournament that will start next season.
Deal includes In-Season Tournament, 65-game minimum for postseason awards, new limitations on highest spending teams and expanded opportunities for trades and free agency for mid and smaller team payrolls, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/B8GJWeF4cq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 1, 2023
Here are the details on the tournament, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Full In-season tournaments details, per @wojespn.
– “Pool-play games baked into the regular-season schedule starting in November”
-8 teams advance to a “single-elimination tournament” in December.
– “The Final Four will be held at a neutral site, with Las Vegas prominent in… pic.twitter.com/tMfVC9i64o
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 1, 2023
But, NBA fans aren’t liking the proposal at all.
They’re really doing the dumb in-season tournament https://t.co/iOmB6GszXV
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 1, 2023
Nobody asked for the in-season tournament man, just a stupid idea
— Daniel Corrigan (@Corrigan_Tweets) April 1, 2023
In-Season Tournament gotta be the dumbest thing i’ve ever heard of https://t.co/rKCSnCAWZN
— 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐨✰ (@deadboylyfee) April 1, 2023
An in-season NBA tournament is hilarious & pointless. Don’t know a single person who asked for that.
— Jake Gould (@jakegould10) April 1, 2023
Nobody asked for a meaningless in-season tournament. https://t.co/CaaHutZLrs
— Taylor Rooster Monk (@Rooster7XC) April 1, 2023
I’m done with the NBA. Who wants an in-season tournament? lol https://t.co/wvrwcaPJHH
— Thom (@thomlt__) April 1, 2023
Hopefully for the NBA, these people are just a small minority and people actually care bout the tournament. The regular season definitely needs the excitement.