NBA expected to push for supermax changes in CBA in wake of Ben Simmons trade demand

NBA executives are expected to push for major changes in supermax contracts and medical evaluations for draft prospects, among numerous other issues, in the next collective bargaining agreement, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

The Ben Simmons saga has shined a light on the general failure of supermax contracts to keep star players on their current teams. League executives are expected to seek stipulations in supermax contracts that would penalize players if they are granted trade requests. There are also concerns, particularly in small markets, of surrounding those players with enough talent to contend, since those contracts can eat up as much as 35% of a team’s cap.

The fact that Simmons requested a trade only one year into his five-year, $170M contract from one of the league’s top Eastern Conference contenders has raised concerned among league officials, Fischer reports. Those executives have recently discussed the possibility of salary repercussions for such players who want out.

The proposals could include a “reverse trade kicker,” where those players would lose 15% of their salary when they’re dealt; a forfeiture of upward of 70% of their salary; or losing a chunk of their guaranteed money.

To encourage the cooperation of the Players Association, the owners may give up a bigger slice of the BRI (basketball-related income).

League officials have also expressed frustration that players such as Kyrie Irving don’t have a vaccine requirements, yet basketball and business operations staffers have a vaccine mandate. They’re hoping that discrepancy could lead to concessions by the union.

Another major sticking point is that draft prospects are not mandated to provide medical information to teams. Some agents have withheld a prospect’s medical information from certain teams to steer their clients to a preferred destination, Fischer notes.

Luxury-tax structures, the buyout market, G League exclusivity rights, two-way roster spots, the calendar order of the draft and free agency, and restricted free agency could also be topics of discussion, Fischer adds.