NBA Alters Schedule to Reduce Travel, Players Resting

With an expanded calendar as part of its new collective bargaining agreement, the NBA has taken the most aggressive measures to date to build rest into its schedule.

In a memo given to teams this week, the league outlined how it hopes to reduce the stresses of travel and give players a chance to recover more than in the past. This is a proactive measure aimed at both player safety and to reduce the number of games in which teams rest healthy players.

After a series of high-profile players didn’t play in major matchups last season, the new schedule protects key national television matchups to make sure teams aren’t playing on back-to-back nights.

Much of this is made possible by extending the season by one week, starting earlier in October. Also, for the first time, the players’ union is a part of the scheduling process to review possible problem areas.

The schedule is expected to be finalized this week and portions are expected to be announced soon.

Source: Brian Windhorst of ESPN