These changes could shake up the entire league.
According to Shams Charania The Athletic, the NBA has sent teams a proposal for major changes to the 2021-22 season. These adjustments include a reduced season 78 games, an in-season tournament, a play-in tournament for 7-8 playf seeds, and a reseeding the final 4 playf teams based on their respective regular-season records.
In order for these changes to take effect, the league needs approval from at least 23 teams (two-thirds the league) and the Players Association. Then, in April, they will need to be passed at the league’s Board Governor’s meeting.
As motivation for the in-season tournament, there will be a $1M-per-player prize incentive for winners.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski explains that some teams are skeptical about the changes saying, “Some team executives are skeptical about the plans. Among the concerns top front-fice ficials discussing these ideas with the league fice: Star players might prefer the five-day scheduling break that would come with not qualifying for the tournament rather than competing for the financial reward a winner-take-all event that requires a quarterfinal, semifinal and title round to become champion.”
The potential in-season tournament would include all 30 teams and start with a divisional group stage before moving on to an eight-team single-elimination round.