NBA, players union agree to extend deadline to opt out of current CBA, per report

The NBA's collective bargaining agreement is nearing its end, and thus far, there has not been much momentum on a new one. The current agreement runs through the end of the 2023-24 season, but includes an opt-out for either side that could have been exercised before Dec. 15. Fortunately, the NBA and NBPA have agreed to extend that deadline, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. That extension is expected to go into February as the two sides work on a new labor deal.

If the two sides are unable to reach a new agreement by then, the risk of a lockout increases significantly. The last NBA lockout came in 2011 and deprived fans of roughly two months worth of Games. This will be the first collective bargaining negotiations led by new union president CJ McCollum, who replaced Chris Paul in 2021, and executive director Tamika Tremaglio, who replaced Michele Roberts soon after. Adam Silver led the NBA's owners through the 2017 CBA negotiations, which did not include any major strife or work stoppages.

CBS Sports HQ Newsletter

Your Ultimate Guide to Every Day in Sports

We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge.

I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use.

See All Newsletters

Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.

Thanks for signing up!

Keep an eye on your inbox.

Sorry!

There was an error processing your subscription.

The primary issue both sides are negotiating is the NBA's desire for an upper spending limit on team salaries. The current model allows teams to effectively spend an infinite amount, so long as it is done so through Bird Rights and cap exceptions and the team in question is comfortable paying exorbitant luxury tax fees. This has allowed teams like the Warriors, Clippers and Nets to rack up historic payrolls.

The players, predictably, oppose any upper limit on spending and want to maintain the current system in which teams are free to add salary so long as it is done within the rules of the current cap. It is not clear at this time what concessions have been offered on either side or what sort of compromise they might reach.

Formal ratification of this extension is expected at a virtual board of governors meeting Wednesday. For now, the league and the union have bought themselves some time to figure out a new CBA.