With NBA free agency set to get underway this weekend with all 30 teams in the league ready to start hustling and bustling in order to improve their rosters, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will go into action on July 1.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 676-page agreement, which should have a significant impact on the league and the way teams do business, will begin this weekend.
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement has been signed and shared with the 30 NBA teams, sources tell ESPN. The 676-page agreement goes into effect on July 1 and runs through the 2029-2030 season
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2023
Fortunately, the league avoided a lockout this time, as the NBA and NBPA were able to see eye-to-eye on a new deal that will go on to the end of the decade.
As a result of the new CBA going into effect this weekend, there are a few significant rule changes that teams will have to abide by moving forward.
Teams can’t sign buyout players during the season, which would’ve prevented the Los Angeles Clippers from bringing in future Hall-of-Famer Russell Westbrook this past season.
Teams also can’t trade first-round picks out as far as seven years anymore, with only teams below the second apron having that ability.
One crucial rule change has to do with regular-season awards, with players needing to play a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for awards like NBA MVP and making All-NBA teams, which can impact the salaries and legacies of players in the league.
Needless to say, some drastic moves are being made here, and the league will be different for the rest of the decade as a result, and that’ll likely strike up some debate once it takes effect next season.
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