NBA CBA finalized days before start of free agency

The two sides went down to the wire formalizing the specifics of the collective bargaining agreement, which is set to run through 2030. While the players and owners agreed on the parameters of the deal nearly three months ago, the specifics of the whopping 676-page agreement didn't come out until two days before Friday afternoon's start of free agency and less than three days before the CBA takes effect.

NBA personnel were not excited about having to learn all the specifics just days before making huge, long-term decisions. Some expressed those feelings with colorful language.

Anyone in an NBA front office whose job depends on knowing the minutiae of these rules may not sleep until free agency begins at 6 PM ET Friday. Essentially, they have 53 hours to get through 676 pages. Let's hope No-Doz are not prohibited in the new deal.

Many of the changes involve penalties for teams who spend above the luxury tax threshold, including restrictions on access to salary cap exceptions and certain trades. But some of the changes are more arcane. Like the rise in NBA players' per diem, with increases correlated to the Consumer Price Index.

That one might not be a concern come July 1, but at least decision-makers actually have the CBA they're relying on before free agency begins. They probably wish it was locked in by last Wednesday, instead.