The NBA is a step away from resuming the 2020-21 NBA season.  All that is left is the Players Association to approve the new format.  The NBAPA will have a conference call on Friday to approve.

Here is what we know so far:

SEASON AND PLAYOFFS

• The season will begin on July 31st and end on October 12th.
• 22 teams will play 8 regular season games at Disney World in Orlando, FL to complete the season and round our the playoffs
• The 22 teams will be the 16 teams that would make playoffs if season ended today (8 in East - 8 in West) plus the Wizards, Pelicans, Blazers, Spurs, Kings, and Suns.
• After the conclusion of the regular season, the top-7 seeds will be set. At that point, the 8-seed and 9-seed from each conference will — if the 9-seed is within four games of the 8-seed — play in a heads-up situation for the final spot. The 9-seed will have to beat the 8-seed twice in a row to win; the 8-seed just has to win one game.

PLAYER SAFETY/COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

• Players, coaches, and staff only-- no fans in attendance.
• No showering at arenas.  Players would shower at hotels/resorts on Disney properties.
• Bench players will sit in spread out rows and inactive players would sit in the spectator stands.
• Players can't bring guests until the playoffs.
• Daily testing for the coronavirus on the Disney campus.

THE TIMELINE

• 6/1 TRAINING CAMP BEGINS
• 7/31 RESUME REGULAR SEASON AT DISNEY PROPERTIES
• ** NBA PLAYOFFS START RIGHT AFTER SEASON ENDS-- DATE TBD
• 10/12 LAST POSSIBLE DATE FOR GAME 7 OF NBA FINALS

This is great news and gives sports fans a peak into how this season will look as we resume sports and what the future of the NBA might look like, as well.