Report: NBA 'eager' to revisit idea of having midseason tournament

The NBA is reportedly "eager" to revisit the idea of adding a midseason tournament to the league schedule after the success of the play-in tournament this season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

The league first discussed this idea in 2019 when it was exploring several changes to the schedule, like shortening the regular season and adding the play-in tournament for the playoffs. 

The midseason tournament would be something similar to what European soccer does, with the NBA discussing the possibility of holding an eight-team, single-elimination tournament that would pay players on the winning team $1 million each, Wojnarowski reports.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is optimistic that the league can entice players and teams to agree to a midseason tournament. The league would need approval from the NBPA and two-thirds majority approval from the Board of Governors to launch a midseason tourney. 

Wojnarowski says that there is some concern that the league's top players would rather use the time off to rest, which is understandable.

While the NBA is optimistic about a midseason tournament, several players slammed the league for even holding a play-in tournament for the playoffs this year, including superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. It's unclear how those players would feel about a midseason competition. 

If the idea of a midseason tournament gains traction, it could be implemented by the 2022-23 season.