FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a news conference before an NBA preseason basketball game between the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors in Saitama, Japan. A person familiar with the negotiations says the NBA is working with the players’ union and its teams on a plan to shorten the regular season, possibly to 78 games. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

NBA Reportedly Discussing Delaying October Draft, Start of Free Agency

Adam WellsAug 21, 2020

On the heels of NBA commissioner Adam Silver suggesting the start of next season could be delayed, the league is reportedly talking about pushing back the 2020 NBA draft and free agency.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the board of governors discussed delaying both events during a call with Silver on Friday.

Speaking to ESPN's Rachel Nichols (h/t Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com) on Thursday before the draft lottery, Silver said the previously discussed Dec. 1 start date for the 2020-21 season was "feeling a little bit early to me."

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The commissioner explained the league's "No. 1 goal is to get fans back in our arenas," and moving back the start of next season could increase the chances of that happening.

One potential reason for moving the draft and free agency back stems from uncertainty related to the salary cap.

Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote in May that the cap was certain to decrease from its initial projection of $115 million for next season.

Wojnarowski reported Thursday that some front office executives are "privately concerned about the lack of salary-cap and luxury-tax projections" being in place before the draft.

The draft is scheduled to take place on Oct. 16, with free agency tentatively set to begin on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. ET.

If free agency remains on that date, it could come five days after the season concludes if the NBA Finals goes to seven games.