It was only in 2011 that the NBA and the Player’s Association couldn’t agree to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement resulting in a lockout. Both sides had an option to opt-out of the current agreement this summer, raising tensions about the possibility of another lockout, but that won’t be the case.
Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated was the first to break the news of a new CBA agreement and details about the new deal have been spilling out ever since. Though the deal still needs to be officially ratified, most believe that is simply a formality.
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One of the biggest changes of he CBA comes in the form longer contract extensions for designated ‘star players’ according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
In an effort to incentivize players to re-sign with their own teams, designated veteran star players will be able to sign five-year extensions with a year left on their current deals – an additional year over the four years previously allowed, league sources said.
The league has long been attempting to give incumbent teams better odds to retain their own players and this is another move in that direction. In terms of upcoming players, guys like Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins and Paul George will all be eligible for massive long-term extensions this summer.
The new CBA will also reduce the preseason by starting the regular season a week earlier, thus giving players more rest overall:
The reduction of the preseason – and adding a week to the regular season that will start in late October – will reduce the number of exhibition games, back-to-back games in the regular season and ultimately provide more rest for players.
The new CBA will also include raises to the rookie, mid-level, and veteran minimum salaries, health insurance for retired players and an increase in the pension, and two-way contracts between the NBA and the D-League that will allow for two extra roster spots for each team.
That last note is an interesting one that all teams will certainly like. By increasing rosters with these ‘two-way contracts’ teams will be more inclined to take risks on second-round picks or Summer League standouts by allowing them to go back and forth between the NBA and D-League (much like the Lakers are doing with Ivica Zubac), but won’t have to sacrifice veterans who can help the team immediately to do so.
Regardless, the most important thing is that the deal has been agreed to. The next time either side can opt-out is 2022 so there is no more threat of life without basketball for a long time.