The NBA and NBAPA reached a tentative seven-year agreement on a new CBA on Wednesday, which will prevent the league from locking out for the first time since 2011.
There are a plethora of new details in the agreement, but here are five notable changes (and non-changes) in the agreement that will have a major impact on the league and how it operates.
Salaries will continue to go up for just about everybody
The NBA will see increases in player contracts. Minimum salaries for veterans with 10+ years of service time, players with 5+ years, rookie scales, players under mid-level exception and bi-annual exception contracts will all see boosts in total salary. Team’s max contract offers to players with 10+ years of experience will also rise, as teams can now offer $36 million per season to retain stars. Max salary for players between 7-9 years of service time will be $31 million.
Veteran player exceptions
The NBA will introduce a new contract exception titled, “designated veteran player exception.” The new contract will allow teams to add a sixth year to contracts that meet certain criteria. ESPN’s Zach Lowe reports the criteria involves accolades, such as All-NBA appearances.
Only guys who meet various performance criteria — including All-NBA team — will be eligible for Designated Player extensions, sources say
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 15, 2016
Key note re new Designated Player extension: salary in Year 1 of ext can be any amt up to 35% of cap (i.e. max) even if team has no cap room
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 15, 2016
Multiple changes to D-League contracts
The NBA will follow suit with the NHL and have “two-way” contracts, that will change monetary value depending on which league the player plays in. NBA teams will also be permitted to additional roster spots for these contracts, with 13 active players still being the max. D-League salaries are also expected to rise.
NBA D-Leaguers salaries expected to rise from 20K to over 50K in new CBA. Yet minor league baseball players still making less than 10K.
— Garrett Broshuis (@broshuis) December 15, 2016
Shorter preseason and earlier start to NBA season
The NBA preseason will be shortened to “no more than six exhibition games” before the start of the season. On top of that, the NBA season will start a week earlier to reduce back-to-backs. That’s a win-win for fans and players alike.
Sources: Under new CBA, the league will shorten preseason and start the regular season a week sooner. Another way to space out games.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2016
The one and done rule is staying put
The NBA wanted to impose an age limit increase to 20 for draft-eligible players. But, the NBAPA fought against it. The union proposed a ‘zero and two’ rule, which would allow high schoolers in the NBA draft but keep college players from getting drafted until their sophomore season. That was also passed over.
