For the last few years now, the NBA has been very adamant about including an in-season tournament. The league has been looking at the European soccer model, and they believe adding an extra tournament in the middle of the season could be huge for boosting ratings, improving the product, and most importantly, profits.
Adam Silver has tried to put a proposal on the table numerous times, although the players union has had its reservations. Most players simply don’t want to see a tournament like this take place, but if the NBA has its way, the tournament is going to happen, whether the players like it or not.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the league has a brand-new framework for this tournament, and it seems like the league is trying to make it as seamless of a transition as possible. Essentially, there will be cup games in November, and they will all be part of the normal 82-game regular season. The eight best teams will then advance to a single-game elimination-style tournament in December. While this is going on, the rest of the league will continue on with their slate of games.
Current framework of NBA In Season Tournament as soon as 2023-24, per sources:
– Cup games through November
– 8 teams advance to single-elimination Final in December; other 22 continue with regular season
– All games part of normal 82-game schedule; one extra for two Final teams— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 9, 2022
The NBA and NBPA are still working to finalize the In Season Tournament concept, which includes to-be-determined prizes for the eight teams that advance to the single-elimination round, sources said. https://t.co/j5Sr54WUEJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 9, 2022
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