After months of uncertainty worldwide, we have a bit more clarity on the NBA restart and what to expect for the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season. In short, the NBA is back. It will be a 22-team, eight-game schedule to finish up the regular season, followed by a play-in tournament for the playoffs.
This will all start on July 30th, with the games taking place at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. Here is everything you need to know about the NBA restart.
NBA Restart Key Dates
June 23: Transaction window opened for all NBA teams
- Two-way contracts can be converted
- Free agents can be signed
- Roster players can be waived
June 23-30: Coronavirus testing begins
June 27: Substitute two-way players can be signed (by 22 active teams)
June 28: Last day to waive a player (5 p.m. ET)
June 30: Transaction window closes (11:59 p.m. ET)
- Last day to sign a contract
- Team’s year’s payroll frozen
- Last day to convert a two-way contract
July 1: Rosters set for Orlando NBA restart
July 1: Teams can sign a substitute player (in replacement of player electing not to participate in Orlando)
- Players replaced are not eligible for the rest of the season
July 1-9: Required individual workouts
July 7-9: Participating teams travel to Orlando
July 9-29: Team training camp and scrimmages
July 30: Seeding games begin (NBA regular season restart)
Aug. 3: Last day to withdraw from NBA Draft (college players)
Aug. 15-16: Possible Eastern/Western Conference play-in games
Aug. 17: First round of playoffs begins
Aug. 17: Last day to enter the NBA Draft
Aug. 25: NBA Draft Lottery
Aug. 31: Conference semifinals target date
TBD: Pre-draft combine
Sept. 15-28: Conference finals target date
Sept. 30: NBA Finals target date
Oct. 6: Last day to withdraw from NBA Draft (international players)
Oct. 13: Last day of NBA Finals
Oct. 16: NBA Draft
TBD: Salary cap and luxury tax are set for 2020-21
Oct. 17: Last day for a team or player option to be exercised (5 p.m. ET)
Oct. 17: Last day for a player to receive a qualifying offer
Oct. 18: Free agent negotiations can begin (6 p.m. ET)
Oct. 19-23: Free agency moratorium (begins 12:01 a.m. ET)
- First round selections can sign contracts
- Minimum contracts can be signed
- Restricted free agents can sign an offer sheet
- Third and fourth-year rookie options can be exercised
Oct. 23: Free agency begins (12 p.m. ET)
- Teams can sign free agents
- Trades can become official
- Rookie-scale and veteran contracts can be extended
- Clock on offer sheets begins
With these dates set, we know for a fact that there will be an NBA restart, but the season finishing according to schedule still remains a big question mark, as does the start for the next season.
However, we will get more NBA action to watch or bet on. Sports Betting Dime already has odds and lines posted for the NBA restart, including the New Orleans Pelicans being 1.5-point favorites over the Utah Jazz in the opening game.
NBA Restart Game Schedule
The 22-game NBA restart will feature eight games for each team to wrap up the regular season, before a possible play-in tournament and the NBA Playoffs. The full schedule has been posted and can be viewed here.
As with everything in the sports world right now, nothing is set in stone and everything is subject to change, including team rosters. Stay tuned for key news and updates over the next month surrounding NBA restart, and hopefully we will get to enjoy some amazing sports months, starting in August.
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