We were waiting for the official announcement, since the negotiations had – according to NBA insiders – gone well between the league and the NBPA, the players’ association. It is now done: a new CBA has been validated by all parties. And it will bring some novelties, from the trophy race to a mid-season tournament… and marijuana use.
Every six years, the NBA, the players’ association and the franchise owners meet to establish a new collective agreement, taking note of the evolutions of the league and setting down on paper the rights and duties of each in this enormous spectacle that is the North American basketball league. Negotiations for the next CBA, which began several months ago, ended on March 31, and resulted in a total agreement between all parties. With lots of new stuff.
First of all, the trophy race. It had been discussed a minimum of games to be played per season to be eligible to receive an individual trophy. On the one hand, to force the players to be more regular, and on the other hand to limit the load management franchises, which voluntarily rested their important elements, especially as the Playoffs approached. All of this will now be greatly reduced, as all it takes is one injury absence to prevent a player from competing in the various awards individual.
So it’s official: you will now have to play at least 65 games in the NBA to participate in the trophy race.
Impossible to be MVP or Rookie of the Year having played less than 65 games.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 1, 2023
Another major point of the new collective agreement: the establishment of a mid-season tournament. In Adam Silver’s mind for several years already, this competition within the competition clearly aims to engage fans a little more and strengthen the ratings. For this to work, the NBA has pulled out all the stops to seduce players: Final Four at a neutral venue, $500,000 per head for the winning team. Qualification phases will take place in November, before a final scheduled for the end of the calendar year. At the heart of a global questioning of the physical rhythm imposed by the calendar, the NBA might therefore impose an 83rd regular season game on the two finalists.
In Season Tournament :
– Qualifying matches stuck in regular season games in early November
– 8 teams qualified for the tournament in December
– Knockout matches
– Final Four probably played in Las Vegas
– $500,000 per player / coach for the winning team— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 1, 2023
Third important novelty of the CBA: tighter control of expenditure. Often singled out for inequitable spending next to smaller markets, large franchises are targeted. We think in particular of the Warriors and the Clippers, which today have more than 200 million payroll. From now on, certain financially advantageous forms of contract might be purely prohibited for the biggest spenders, in order to balance the league financially.
Teams that spend the most in the NBA will be further limited in their options.
Warriors and Clippers, to name a few, have nearly $200 million in payroll this season.
Access to the mid level exception (DiVincenzo, John Wall) will be denied if overspending.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 1, 2023
Finally, a little more let’s say… unexpected, but no less important point of the CBA: marijuana use will no longer be punished by the NBA. The regularization process had been started since 2020, so it will be up to the players of the league to decide whether or not they want to treat themselves to a little delirium at Marie-Jeanne. More seriously, the substance is known to have sought-following tranquilizing effects in the context of injuries. And it may also allow players to send a small blunt during the offseason without being unduly worried.
Hahahahaha sorry?! Did I read correctly? https://t.co/uzmOaWuhPG
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 1, 2023
Source : The Athletic, Shams Charania.