The NBA is already exploring main adjustments to the draft lottery in addition to the addition of two new groups. Nonetheless, there has additionally been dialogue of the league shortening the season to simply 72 video games.
0 for 3!
Additionally — discover how not one of the concepts contain shortening the season which is partly how we fell into this tanking sinkhole within the first place. They provide you with 3 “options” and not one of the 3 are “what would 72 video games seem like?”
This league is so irritating https://t.co/UW7HA6H7GW
— Invoice Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 27, 2026
That has confirmed controversial, however former Dallas Mavericks majority proprietor Mark Cuban believes he has an answer. He floated the concept of the NBA shortening their video games to simply 40 minutes moderately than 48 minutes.
Make the video games 40 minutes.
8 x 82 / 48 =13.667 That’s the equal variety of video games you would cut back the schedule by. With out breaking area leases.
Works for school. Works for worldwide. Works for the WNBA.
AND.
For those who television and streaming scores,… https://t.co/GXWNcMtaJT
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) March 28, 2026
On the floor, that may seem like a dramatic change, however maybe not practically as a lot as trimming 10 video games from the schedule.
The NBA ought to think about 40-minute video games
The NBA going to a 40-minute recreation would have far-reaching ramifications. One among them is that it will dramatically lower the variety of minutes performed over the course of a season.
That may very well be a terrific factor. Cuban factors out that shortening video games by 8 minutes multiplied by 82 video games would end result within the equal of 13 fewer video games.
Nonetheless, the league would not should shorten the schedule. The NBA is aware of load administration and the notion surrounding it.
Subsequently, lowering the variety of minutes places much less put on and tear on their greatest gamers, which looks like an enormous win. Higher nonetheless, it will hold them from having to lose income by lowering video games.
40-minute video games would dramatically change the NBA
Higher but, for the NBA, it will dramatically lower the size of TV broadcasts, which at present lasts round two and a half hours. Eight fewer minutes would end in video games which can be 2 hours or much less.
Meaning the NBA may air extra video games and subsequently generate extra TV income because of a 2-hour broadcast window. What in regards to the followers? The response would probably be combined.
With the ability to watch full video games in lower than two hours would most likely be well-liked, however gamers might need a extra unfavourable response. One purpose is that there can be an apparent unfavourable influence on stats.
There would even be fewer minutes to go round. In truth, some groups may rely extra on their starters, particularly youthful groups. That might end in starters getting paid much more than bench gamers however may improve the size of gamers’ careers.
Nonetheless, the positives outweight the unfavourable on the subject of 40-minute video games. However proper now, it would not appear probably that the NBA will make that change.
