NBA Players on 2-Way Contracts Reportedly Will Be Eligible for Playoffs

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are reportedly planning to waive the 50-game rule so players on two-way contracts will be eligible for the 2021 playoffs.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported Tuesday the change will become official once it receives approval from the league's Board of Governors.

More than 50 players are currently signed to two-way contracts for the 2020-21 season, so the change could prove important for teams as they build their postseason rosters, especially if injuries arise.

In October, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver signaled a willingness to work with the Players Association on various issues related to the second straight season altered by the coronavirus pandemic:

"There's no doubt there are issues on the table that need to be negotiated. I think it's—we've managed to work through every other issue so far. I think we have a constructive relationship with [the NBPA]. We share all information. We look at our various business models together. So I think while no doubt there will be issues and there will be some difficult negotiations ahead, I fully expect we'll work them out, as we always have."

The regular season, which started in December rather than October because of the late finish to last season's playoffs, was reduced by 10 games (from 82 to 72), and the postseason is scheduled to begin in May rather than April.

If everything remains on schedule, the NBA should be able to get back on its typical October-to-June timeframe beginning next season.

It's unclear whether the rule changes related to players on two-way contracts will be permanent or just one-year adjustments because of the challenges presented by the pandemic.