OKC Thunder: 2020-21 start date remains uncertain as stakeholders delay announcement

The OKC Thunder awaits news on the NBA 2020-21 calendar as stakeholders seemingly delay a decision on the season start date.

It was expected the NBA Board of Governors and National Basketball Players Association would announce the start date for the 2020-21 season today. As the hours have ticked away it seems likely that the announcement will be postponed again. For the OKC Thunder and their peers finalizing this date is extremely important in terms of planning for the NBA Draft and NBA Free Agency period.

There were hints this might be the case when Malcolm Brogdon (one of the player representatives who works with NBPA president Chris Paul) appeared on the ESPN program – NBA The Jump on Thursday. The Pacers guard said it wouldn’t likely be long, suggesting a couple of days.

OKC Thunder await news on 2020-21 season start date

The negotiations are complex given the NBA Finals was just completed but eight teams haven’t played since March 11th. Brogdon told The Jump he believes players are more inclined to want the start date to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18th) while owners are more intent to start shortly before Christmas Day (December 22nd).

The main issues are remuneration and getting the 2021-22 season back on track to a typical calendar with games starting in October. ESPN writer Tim Bontemps’ article emphasizes the financial considerations.

"“I think those are the two options,” Brogdon said. “We’re either going to start MLK Day, which I think a lot of the players are leaning towards, or we’re going to start the 22nd, Christmastime. But the huge difference is revenue. Revenue, and trying to get the season back on track to start in that September-October range. So I think calculations are being done on both sides on how much revenue would be lost for each potential date, and we’ll have to come to some type of agreement and go from there.”"

Television contracts require teams to play approximately 70-72 to fulfill contracts. The league also wants to retain their ownership of Christmas Day games which are now synonymous with the NBA.

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Additionally, the Toyko Olympics occur next July so finishing the season with enough time to allow for players to participate is a factor. That’s not a moot point given that event will allow the NBA to promote their league and showcase talent to help gain interest among new fans and build the brand.

The initial thoughts were the NBA would hold off starting the season to allow for fans to return to arenas – – albeit with reduced, safely spaced attendance. But, as the pandemic continues and cases are climbing again thoughts shifted back to starting earlier.

While players need time to prepare for the coming season, as mentioned there are eight teams who are approaching eight months off the court.  To that end, there is also the potential to cancel the G-League 2020-21 campaign. That would make sense particularly if the partners agree to expand roster size for a single season.

This concession could answer the varsity needs but it would affect numerous players since it’s unlikely teams would incorporate the full G-League roster.

Ultimately, money may end up being the driving force behind the final decision. Although no updates have been provided it’s likely the parties will try to resolve this by early next week.