The CBA Glossary

Postseason and Play-In

As you probably already knew, there are 16 teams in the NBA's postseason, or "playoffs". Eight teams from each of the Eastern and Western Conferences qualify for the playoffs - however, the CBA specifically states that the NBA has the unilateral authority to increase the number of playoff participants if it chooses, without needing to amend the agreement. (It has yet to ever do so.) ⓘArticle XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 8 (Postseason):

(a) The number of Teams participating in the playoffs shall equal sixteen (16). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NBA shall have the right to increase the number of Teams participating in the playoffs.

Whereas rounds used to vary in length back in the day, every playoff round is nowadays played as a best-of-seven series ⓘArticle XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 8 (Postseason):

(b) Each round of the playoffs shall be played in a best-of-seven-games format.

A new invention, the Play-In Tournament, was created in 2020 to determine the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference. It exists to give teams a bit more incentive to put forth their best effort during the season's final weeks, and is one of many anti-tanking measures instituted in recent years, The Play-In Tournament takes place after the regular season ends but before the first round of the playoffs begins, which once begged the question of whether it should count as "postseason", which has now been answered. As the Play-In tournament was a creation made between Collective Bargaining Agreements, it did not feature in the previous version (dated 2017), and thus there was no reference to it. It was therefore unclear and a matter of debate in the public realm as to whether the Play-In tournament should count as part of the regular season or not. But this has now been clarified - it does not, as the definition of "regular season" now expressly excludes the Play-In tournament. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 8 (Postseason):

(c) To determine which Teams qualify to participate as the seventh and eighth seeds in the playoffs for each Conference, each Season shall include six (6) Play-In Games, to be played after the conclusion of the Regular Season and prior to the first round of the playoffs. The determination of which Teams shall participate in any Play-In Games shall be made based on each Team’s Regular Season winning percentage.

Article I (Definitions) Section 1 (Definitions):

(aaa) “Regular Season” means, with respect to any Season, the period beginning on the first day and ending on the last day of regularly scheduled (as opposed to Exhibition, Play-In, or playoff) competition between NBA Teams.

Article XXIX (Miscellaneous) Section 2 (Roster Size):

(e) For purposes of this Article XXIX, “postseason” means Play-In Games and/or the playoffs.

Participation in the Play-In Tournament is determined entirely by regular-season winning percentage. The teams that finish seventh through tenth in each conference qualify. The team that finishes seventh plays the team that finishes eighth in what the CBA calls the "Seven-Eight Game" - the winner of thar game immediately earns the conference's seventh playoff seed. The loser is not eliminated and gets a second chance. The team that finishes ninth plays the team that finishes tenth in the "Nine-Ten Game." The loser of this game is immediately eliminated from postseason contention, while the winner advances to play the loser of the Seven-Eight Game. The winner of that matchup becomes the conference's eighth playoff seed., while the loser is eliminated. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 8 (Postseason):

(d) The Team with the seventh-highest winning percentage in each Conference shall play the Team with the eighth-highest winning percentage in its Conference in a Play-In Game (the “Seven-Eight Game”). The winner of the Seven-Eight Game in each Conference shall participate in the playoffs as the seventh seed in its Conference. The Team with the ninth-highest winning percentage in each Conference shall play the Team with the tenth-highest winning percentage in its Conference in a Play-In Game (the “Nine-Ten Game”). The winner of the Nine-Ten Game shall play the loser of the Seven-Eight Game in a Play-In Game, and the winner of that game shall participate in the playoffs as the eighth seed in its Conference.

As a result, the seventh- and eighth-place teams each need only one win to reach the playoffs, while the ninth- and tenth-place teams must win two consecutive games. The CBA does not establish home-court rules, scheduling procedures, tiebreakers or the treatment of statistics posted in Play-In games. Those matters are addressed elsewhere in league rules and operations manuals.

Training Camp

NBA training camps are essentially the league's pre-season preparation period. They begin a few weeks before the regular season starts and are the first time the full roster is brought together after the summer. Players report to the team, undergo medical examinations, attend meetings, install offensive and defensive systems, get into game shape and compete for roster spots. Like everything, it comes with rules.

It cannot start too early. Veteran players generally cannot be required to report before 11:00 a.m. local time on the 22nd day before the team's first regular-season game, and even on that first day, teams are limited in what they can require. Players can attend team meetings, a team dinner, media and photo sessions, and their physical examinations, but they cannot yet be put through normal basketball activities. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

(a) Veteran Players will not be required to attend training camp earlier than 11 a.m. (local time) on the twenty-second day prior to the first game of any Regular Season. On such twenty-second day, Veterans may only be required to attend a Team dinner and Team meetings, participate in photograph and media sessions, and submit to a physical examination.

There is an exception for teams playing international games at the start of the season. If a team is scheduled to play exhibition or regular-season games outside North America during the first ten days of the regular season, it may require veterans to report earlier. The amount of extra time depends on where the games are being played - teams travelling to South America may start camp on the 26th day before the season opener, teams travelling to Europe may start on the 27th day before the opener, and those travelling to Africa, Asia or Oceania may start camp on the 28th day before the season opener. If such international-travel requires veterans to report earlier than the 25th day before the season opener, those players receive extra days off (see bekiw)equal to the number of additional days they were required to report early, after the team returns to North America. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

(b) Notwithstanding Section 1(a) above, if a Veteran Player is under contract to a Team that is scheduled during a particular NBA Season to participate outside North America in one (1) or more Exhibition or Regular Season games during the first ten (10) days of the Regular Season (each such Team, a “Global Games Team�), such Veteran Player may be required to attend the training camp conducted in advance of that Regular Season by 11 a.m. (local time) on the earlier of (i) if any such game is scheduled to be held in South America, the twenty-sixth day prior to the first game of the Regular Season; (ii) if any such game is scheduled to be held in Europe, the twenty-seventh day prior to the first game of the Regular Season; and (iii) if any such game is scheduled to be held in Africa, Asia, or the Oceania region, the twenty-eighth day prior to the first game of the Regular Season. If a Global Games Team requires a Veteran Player to attend training camp earlier than the twenty-fifth day prior to the first game of the Regular Season in accordance with the foregoing, then, beginning on the day immediately following the date on which the Global Games Team lands at its destination airport in North America after the game(s) outside North America, such Veteran Player shall be provided one (1) Day Off for each day earlier than the twenty-fifth day prior to the first game of the Regular Season that such Global Games Team required the Player to attend training camp.

Note the distinction there of "veterans". Rookies get less leeway, and can be required to report earlier than veterans. A player with zero years of NBA experience may be required to attend camp up to ten days before the veteran reporting date for that team. That said, the same international-travel compensation system applies. If a team travelling overseas requires rookies to report more than 35 days before the season opener, those players must later receive equivalent days off after the team returns. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

(c) “First-Year Players� (defined below) may be required to attend training camp on a date earlier than the date(s) specified in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) above, but no earlier than ten (10) days prior to the date that Veterans on such Team are required to attend. If a Global Games Team requires Veteran Players under contract to the Team to attend training camp earlier than the twenty-fifth day prior to the first game of the Regular Season pursuant to Section 1(b) above, and further requires First-Year Players to attend training camp on a date that is ten (10) days prior to the date that Veterans on such Team are required to attend, then, beginning on the day immediately following the date on which the Global Games Team lands at its destination airport in North America after the game(s) outside North America, each such First-Year Player shall be provided one (1) Day Off for each day earlier than the thirty-fifth day prior to the first game of the Regular Season that such Global Games Team required the First-Year Player to attend training camp.

For purposes of this Section 1(c), “First-Year Player� means a player with zero (0) Years of Service who is under Contract to a Team.

Training camps may be held anywhere in the world. However, if a team wants to conduct camp outside the United States and Canada, the NBA must supervise the arrangements and accommodations, while the Players Association must be notified and has three business days to object. The union's objection cannot be based on competitive concerns or inconveniencs, and can only be based on a reasonable belief that the location is unsafe for players. A team cannot hold an overseas training camp in consecutive seasons (although not that brief practice sessions connected to overseas exhibition games do not count). Any team returning from an overseas training camp must provide players with at least one day off after the travel day on which they return to North America. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

(d)(i) Team training camps may be held at any location, within or outside the United States and Canada. The NBA shall oversee the arrangements made with respect to any training camp held outside the United States and Canada and the accommodations provided to participating players.

(ii) The NBA shall be required to notify the Players Association of its intention to conduct a team training camp outside the United States and Canada. Within three (3) business days of its receipt of such notification, the Players Association shall have the right to disapprove such plans, provided that such disapproval may be based solely on a reasonable and well-founded concern that the location of such training camp would be unsafe for players.

(iii) No Team shall hold its training camp outside the United States and Canada in any two (2) successive Seasons, it being understood that limited practice sessions held in connection with one (1) or more exhibition games outside of the United States or Canada shall not be considered training camp for the purposes of this Section 1(d)(iii).

(iv) Players on a Team that holds its training camp outside of the United States and Canada shall have at least one (1) day off following the travel day during which they travel back to the United States or Canada from such training camp.

(For these purposes, American overseas. territories and Caribbean islands are treated as being within the US and Canada. Holding camp in Puerto Rico, for example, would not count as an overseas training camp under these rules.) ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

For purposes of this Section 1(d), the U.S. Territories and Caribbean islands shall not be considered “outside the United States and Canada.�

The first fourteen days of camp contain what the CBA calls the "Two-a-Day Period." During any six days within that window, a team may hold up to two regular practice sessions per day. The total practice time cannot exceed three and a half hours per day, excluding up to thirty minutes of stretching, warmups, and cooldowns. If two practices are held, they must be separated by at least two hours. In addition, one of the two practices must be non-contact. After the Two-a-Day Period ends, teams are generally limited to one regular practice session per day, again with a maximum length of three and a half hours, excluding warmup and cooldown periods. (There is again a special exception for teams whose overseas travel prevented them from fully using the two-a-day Period, who may make up missed sessions during the first five days after returning from international travel, although they can make up no more than two additional sessions.) ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

(e)(i) During any six (6) days beginning on the day after the first day of training camp and ending on the fourteenth (14th) day of training camp (the “Two-a-Day Periodâ€�): (A) a Team shall be permitted to conduct no more than two (2) regular practice sessions per day; (B) such session(s) may last an aggregate of no longer than 3.5 hours (excluding time â€" not to exceed 30 minutes â€" spent stretching and participating in aerobic warm-ups and cool-downs); (C) there must be at least a two (2) hour interval between the two (2) practice sessions; and (D) if a Team elects to conduct two (2) regular practice sessions during a day, one (1) of the two (2) sessions must be limited to non-contact activities. For the remainder of training camp, a Team shall be permitted to conduct no more than one (1) regular practice session per day and such session may last no longer than 3.5 hours (excluding time â€" not to exceed 30 minutes â€" spent stretching and participating in aerobic warm-ups and cool-downs); provided, however, that any Team that is unable due to international travel for pre-season events to conduct two (2) practice sessions per day during the Two-a-Day Period may make up any missed practice sessions (up to a maximum of two (2)) during the first five (5) days upon the Team’s return from such international travel.�

Teams cannot circumvent these limits by scheduling unofficial extra court work. If a team conducts one or two regular practices on a given day, it cannot later gather players for additional organized basketball activities on the court. However, some activities remain permitted; teams may conduct individual skill-development sessions covering things like shooting, passing or pick-and-roll reads. These sessions cannot involve live defense, and they cannot be used to practice full offensive or defensive systems involving four- or five-man units, but they can do something. The idea is to allow player development while preventing teams from disguising extra practices as skill work. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

(e)(ii) If a Team conducts one (1) or two (2) regular practice sessions during a day in accordance with Section 1(e)(i) above, then except as provided in clause (A) of Section 1(e)(iii) below, the Team shall not, at a separate time during the day, conduct, organize or supervise any additional basketball activity on the basketball court.

(iii) Nothing in Sections 1(e)(i) and (ii) above shall be construed to prohibit a Team, on any day of training camp, from conducting one (1) or two (2) regular practice sessions in accordance with Section 1(e)(i) above, plus:

(A) on-court skills development sessions (e.g., pick-and-roll situations, shooting, passing, etc.) not involving the playing of live defense (i.e., only “dummy� defense may be played) and not involving the practicing of four-man or five-man offenses or defenses [...].�

Teams may also hold other non-court activities such as weight training, conditioning sessions, film study, meetings, promotional appearances and similar activities. It is high-impact conditioning drills that would normally occur during a regular practice that are not permitted, nor organised basketball work on the court beyond what the CBA specifically allows. ⓘ Article XXIX (Miscellanous) Section 1 (Training Camp):

(e)(ii) If a Team conducts one (1) or two (2) regular practice sessions during a day in accordance with Section 1(e)(i) above, then except as provided in clause (A) of Section 1(e)(iii) below, the Team shall not, at a separate time during the day, conduct, organize or supervise any additional basketball activity on the basketball court.

(iii) Nothing in Sections 1(e)(i) and (ii) above shall be construed to prohibit a Team, on any day of training camp, from conducting one (1) or two (2) regular practice sessions in accordance with Section 1(e)(i) above, plus:

(A) on-court skills development sessions (e.g., pick-and-roll situations, shooting, passing, etc.) not involving the playing of live defense (i.e., only “dummy� defense may be played) and not involving the practicing of four-man or five-man offenses or defenses; and

(B) team-related or training-related activities (including, but not limited to, weight training, other conditioning sessions (excluding high-impact conditioning drills that are normally conducted during regular practice sessions), video sessions, meetings, and promotional appearances), so long as such additional activities do not include any basketball activity on the basketball court that is organized, supervised, or conducted by the Team.

In-Season Tournament

Beginning with the 2023 CBA, the NBA has run an annual In-Season Tournament (now known publicly as the NBA Cup, but referred to as the In-Season Tournament throughout the CBA). Mostly mimicking the cup competitions of football tournaments around the world - you're mad if you think I'm ever calling it soccer - the NBA had to find a way to create a competition that was sufficiently separate and distinct from the regular season to be worthwhile as both a competition and a spectacle, without ruining the regular season schedule. This is what they came up with.

Each IST has two stages: a group stage and a knockout stage. Every team participates in the group stage. Each team plays four tournament games, all of which are scheduled during the first two months of the regular season on designated tournament days selected by the NBA. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

Each Season, the NBA shall determine and supervise the arrangements made with respect to an In-Season Tournament, which shall consist of two stages: (a) the group stage and (b) the knockout stage.

(a) Group Stage. All Teams shall participate in the group stage. Each Team shall play a total of four (4) group stage games. Such games shall be scheduled by the NBA to take place in the first two (2) months of the Regular Season on two (2) designated days of the week. [...]

To create the groups, the NBA divides each conference into three groups of five teams through a randomised draw that is not completely random. Each group must contain one team from each of five performance tiers based on the previous season's standings. The first tier contains the conference's top three teams, the second tier contains the fourth through sixth teams, the third contains the seventh through ninth teams, the fourth contains the tenth through twelfth teams, and the fifth contains the bottom three teams. As a result, every group is supposed to contain one strong team, one upper-middle team, one middle team, one lower-middle team and one lower-ranked team (although having been based on the previous season, it is far from an exact science, given how quickly things can change). ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

[...] (a)(i) To determine the schedule of group stage games, the NBA shall divide the Teams in each Conference into three (3) groups of five (5) Teams each (each group, a “Group Stage Group�) via random drawings. In the group stage, each Team shall play one (1) game against each of the other four (4) teams in its Group Stage Group.

(ii) Each Group Stage Group shall include one team from each of the following subgroups, which are based on the Teams’ winning percentage in the prior Regular Season:

(1) First- through third-highest in the Conference,
(2) Fourth- through sixth-highest in the Conference,
(3) Seventh- through ninth-highest in the Conference,
(4) Tenth- through twelfth-highest in the Conference, and
(5) Thirteenth- through fifteenth-highest in the Conference.

Once the groups are formed, each team plays one game against each of the other four teams in its group. That produces four group-stage games per team. After the group stage, eight teams advance to the knockout stage. Six of those teams are the group winners, while the remaining two spots are wildcards, one in each conference. The wildcard is awarded to the second-place team with the best group-stage record among all non-group winners in that conference. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

(b) Knockout Stage.

(i) Eight (8) Teams shall participate in the knockout stage: (1) The Team with the best winning percentage in group stage games in each of the Group Stage Groups; and (2) One (1) “wildcard� Team from each Conference, which shall be the Team from each Conference with the best winning percentage in group stage games that finished second in the standings in group stage games in its Group Stage Group.

The knockout stage is single elimination. Lose once, and you are out. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

(b)(ii) Each game in the knockout stage shall be a single elimination game (i.e., the Team that wins such game shall advance to the next round of the knockout stage and the Team that loses shall be eliminated from the In-Season Tournament).

The quarterfinals are hosted by teams rather than played at a neutral site. Within each conference, the group winner with the best group-stage record hosts the wildcard team. The remaining two group winners play each other, with the team having the better group-stage record again playing at home. The semifinals and championship game are then played at a neutral site rather than at the home arena of one of the participating teams. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

(b)(iii) For the first round of the knockout stage (the “IST Quarterfinals�), in each Conference, (A) the Team with the highest winning percentage in group stage games shall host the “wildcard� Team, and (B) the Team with the second-highest winning percentage in group stage games shall host the Team with the third-highest winning percentage in group stage games.

(iv) The games in the second round of the knockout stage (the “IST Semifinals Games�) and the In-Season Tournament championship game (the “IST Finals Game�) shall be played at a neutral site (i.e., not the home arena for any participating Team).

Of course, the 22 teams that fail to reach the knockout stage still need to reach an 82-game regular-season schedule to maintain parity, so each of them receives two additional regular-season games to be played during (but not as a part of) the IST knockout-stage period. The four teams that lose in the quarterfinals receive one additional regular-season game. This ensures every team ultimately reaches the proper number of games, despite the tournament structure. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

(b)(vi) The twenty-two (22) teams that do not participate in the knockout stage shall each play two (2) additional Regular Season games during the knockout stage on days on which knockout stage games are not scheduled. The four (4) Teams that play in the IST Quarterfinals but do not qualify for an IST Semifinals Game shall each play one (1) additional Regular Season game during the knockout stage on days on which knockout stage games are not scheduled.

Every In-Season Tournament game except the final counts as a regular-season game for all purposes. The championship game, though, is unusual. It is treated as a regular-season game for most purposes under the CBA, but it does not count toward regular-season standings or winning percentage. The league effectively treats it as an extra game played between the finalists, which does not count towards standings, service time calculations, performance bonuses, BRI, days off, or the no-more-than-82 regular season games scheduling requirement outlined above. (The statistics, however, do count.) ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

(c) Each game played as part of the In-Season Tournament other than the IST Finals Game shall be a Regular Season game. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the IST Finals Game shall be considered a Regular Season game for all purposes under this Agreement except: (i) a Team’s Regular Season winning percentage or standings; (ii) Article II, Sections 11(b)(ii)-(iii), 12(b), and 13(j); (iii) Article IV, Sections 1(b) and 3(a)(7); (iv) Article XI, Sections 1(e)(ii) and 1(e)(iv); (v) Article XX, Sections 3 and 9(e); and (vi) NBA ByLaws Section 5.05(b) (the provisions of which are referenced in and attached to the Uniform Player Contract).

Each season, one player is selected as the In-Season Tournament's Most Valuable Player, and an All-Tournament Team is chosen based on performance in both the group stage and knockout rounds. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

(d) League Honors. Each Season, players will be selected for Most Valuable In-Season Tournament Player and All-Tournament Team honors based on their performance in group stage games and knockout stage games in the In-Season Tournament that Season.

Players can only play in the In-Season Tournament final if they were on the roster at the time of the tournament's first game. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 4 (In-Season Tournament):

(b)(v) A player (including a Two-Way Player) shall not be eligible to participate in the IST Finals Game with a participating Team if such player was not on such Team’s roster as of the start of the first scheduled IST Semifinals Game.

Days Off

There is a minimum amount of guaranteed downtime for NBA players during the regular season.

Every team must provide each player with at least 18 days off during a normal regular season, whereby a "day off" is a day on which the player is neither required nor permitted to take part in any team-directed activity. That includes games, practices, travel, promotional appearances, or anything else the team is doing. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 9 (Days Off):

(a) Each Team will provide a minimum of eighteen (18) Days Off during each Regular Season for each of its players on dates to be determined by the Team. A “Day Off� means a calendar day on which a player is not required or permitted to participate in any Team directed activities, including, but not limited to, games, practices, travel, or promotional activities. [...]

A day off can occur during All-Star Weekend for players who are not participating in All-Star events, and can also occur while the team is on a road trip rather than at home. The location does not matter. What matters is that the player has no team obligations that day. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 9 (Days Off):

[...] Without limitation, Days Off shall include days that satisfy the foregoing definition and are provided: (i) during All-Star Weekend pursuant to Article XXI, Section 4 (only with respect to players not participating in All-Star activities); and (ii) in locations other than the Team’s home city (such as when the Team is “on the road�).[...]

Teams are expressly prohibited from pressuring or coercing players into working on a day off. However, players are allowed to use their day off voluntarily. They could for example choose to come into the facility, work with coaches, receive treatment from trainers, shoot around or participate in other individual basketball activities. The key thing is that the team cannot require it. Teams must also keep records showing which days off each player received. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 9 (Days Off):

[...] Under no circumstances shall a Team pressure or coerce a player into providing services for the Team on a player’s Day Off. Nothing contained herein shall prevent any player on his Day Off from voluntarily engaging in individual basketball related activity at the Team’s facility or elsewhere (including, but not limited to, individual activity with Team coaches, trainers, or medical personnel). Each Team shall maintain a list of the Days Off provided to each player on such Team during the Regular Season.

Travel days can count as days off, as long as travel is minimal. If the team's local departure time is the same as or later than the local time at the destination, the team must arrive before 1:00 a.m. local time at the destination for the day to qualify as a Day Off. For example, if a team departs Chicago at 10pm local and arrives in Denver at 11.45pm local, the following day can count as a day off, even though they will have travelled for part of it as measured by the departure city's time. (Going the other way, when the destination's local time is ahead of the departure location's local time. In those cases, the deadline is extended to 2:00 a.m. destination time. For example, departing L.A. at 10.00pm Pacific and arriving in New York at 1.30am Eastern is sufficient for the remainder of the arrival day to count as a "day off", if so desired. The team must however tell the players that that day will count as a day off before getting off the plane/bus/rocket/paddle steamer. Yes, the CBA is that precise.) ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 9 (Days Off):

(b) A calendar day shall not fail to meet the definition of a Day Off because the Team is traveling on such day, provided the Team lands at its destination point (i.e., lands at its destination airport or, if the Team has not flown and is instead traveling by train or bus, arrives at the final destination of such train or bus) before:

(i) 1:00 a.m. (local time at the destination point) on such day if, at the time of departure, the local time at the departure point (i.e., the airport from which the Team departs, or if the Team has not flown, the point from which the Team’s form of transportation, such as a train or bus, departs) is the same or later than the local time at the destination point, or

(ii) 2:00 a.m. (local time at the destination point) on such day if, at the time of departure, the local time at the departure point is earlier than the local time at the destination point.

For any calendar day on which the Team arrives at its destination point at or after 1:00 a.m. (local time at the destination point) that (a) could not meet the definition of a Day Off in accordance with subsection (i) above, and (b) could meet the definition of a Day Off in accordance with subsection (ii) above, in order for such calendar day to meet the definition of a Day Off, the Team must, before concluding traveling as a team (i.e., before the players who traveled with the Team disembark from the final plane, train, or bus), notify the one or more players who traveled with the Team and will be provided a Day Off on that calendar day that they will be provided a Day Off on that calendar day.

If a player joins mid-season, the number of days off is prorated, unless (a) the player's contract covers fewer than 25 days of that regular season, or (b) the player is on a two-way deal. In these cases, the team is not required to provide any days off. A player who signs a rest-of-the-season contract after 1st March can also voluntarily waive his entitlement to days off for the remainder of that season. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 9 (Days Off):

(c) For a player whose Player Contract is entered into after the first day of the Regular Season, the Team will provide a minimum number of Days Off during such Regular Season, rounded up or down to the nearest whole Day Off, calculated by multiplying 18 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days covered by the Player Contract during such Regular Season (including the day on which the Player Contract is entered into), and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such Regular Season; provided, however, that:

(i) A Team is not required to provide any Day Off to a player during a Regular Season if the term of his Player Contract covers fewer than 25 days during such NBA Regular Season (including the day on which the Player Contract is entered into). Teams are also not required to provide any Day Off to a player whose Player Contract is a Two-Way Contract; and

(ii) A player who signs a Rest-of-Season Contract after March 1 of a Regular Season may waive his right to receive Days Off pursuant to this Section 9 for such Regular Season. Such waiver must be in writing, signed by the player, and approved by the Players Association.

If a player is traded during the season, or claimed off of waivers, the team trading him away is considered to have fulfilled whatever obligations it had regarding days off up to that point. The acquiring team then calculates the player's remaining days off obligation as though he had just signed a rest-of-the-season contract on the date the trade/waiver claim became official. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 9 (Days Off):

(d) For a player whose Player Contract is assigned by one Team to another Team during a Regular Season via trade or the NBA’s waiver procedure, the assignor Team’s obligation pursuant to Article XX, Section 9(a) shall be deemed satisfied with respect to the player for such Regular Season, and the acquiring Team will provide the player a minimum number of Days Off during such Regular Season calculated as if the player had entered into a Rest-of-Season Contract: (i) in the case of a trade, on the date that all conditions to the trade are satisfied; or (ii) in the case of a waiver claim, on the date that the acquiring Team acquires the player’s Contract pursuant to the NBA waiver procedure.

All of these rules assume a standard 82-game regular season. If the NBA plays a shortened season or some other format that is not an 82-game regular season, these days off provisions do not apply, and the NBA and the Players Association must negotiate a replacement system specifically for that season. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 9 (Days Off):

(e) In the event that any Season does not include at least an eighty-two (82) game Regular Season schedule, the requirements of Sections 9(a)-(d) above shall not apply and the NBA and Players Association will negotiate an alternate Days Off rule for such Season.

Player Offseason Activities

As a general rule, an NBA player cannot play in any public offseason basketball game, summer league, skills competition, dunk contest, exhibition or similar basketball event unless the NBA gives written approval in advance. To obtain approval, the event organiser must submit the proposal to the NBA and satisfy a number of conditions:

● It must take place between 1st July and 15th September (or 1st September for summer leagues; see here) ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a) No player may play in any public off-season basketball game, summer league, or public exhibition or competition of basketball skills (e.g., a slam dunk contest or a “tour” organized by an NBA business partner) (each, a “Basketball Event”) unless such Basketball Event is approved in writing by the NBA for NBA player participation and complies with the terms and conditions of this Section 3. The NBA will consider an off-season Basketball Event for approval only if a request for such approval is submitted in writing to the NBA, and only if the arrangements made with respect to any such off-season Basketball Event are confirmed in writing to the NBA and satisfy the following requirements, in addition to such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose:

(i) General Requirements .

(1) The Basketball Event takes place on or after July 1, but in no event later than September 15 (or, in the case of a summer league, September 1); [...]

● Each participating player must obtain written permission from his NBA teamⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a) No player may play in any public off-season basketball game, summer league, or public exhibition or competition of basketball skills (e.g., a slam dunk contest or a “tour” organized by an NBA business partner) (each, a “Basketball Event”) unless such Basketball Event is approved in writing by the NBA for NBA player participation and complies with the terms and conditions of this Section 3. The NBA will consider an off-season Basketball Event for approval only if a request for such approval is submitted in writing to the NBA, and only if the arrangements made with respect to any such off-season Basketball Event are confirmed in writing to the NBA and satisfy the following requirements, in addition to such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose:

(i) General Requirements .

[...] (2) Prior to the Basketball Event, each participating player receives the express written consent of his Team to participate in the Basketball Event; [...]

● The organiser must generally provide disability insurance protecting the player's team if the player is injured (although this requirement does not apply to summer leagues)ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a) No player may play in any public off-season basketball game, summer league, or public exhibition or competition of basketball skills (e.g., a slam dunk contest or a “tour” organized by an NBA business partner) (each, a “Basketball Event”) unless such Basketball Event is approved in writing by the NBA for NBA player participation and complies with the terms and conditions of this Section 3. The NBA will consider an off-season Basketball Event for approval only if a request for such approval is submitted in writing to the NBA, and only if the arrangements made with respect to any such off-season Basketball Event are confirmed in writing to the NBA and satisfy the following requirements, in addition to such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose:

(i) General Requirements .

[...] (3) The person(s) organizing the Basketball Event obtains disability insurance for the benefit of each participating player’s Team, in an amount acceptable to the NBA (provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to summer leagues); and [...]

● The NBA or team names and logos cannot be used without specific NBA authorisation.ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a) No player may play in any public off-season basketball game, summer league, or public exhibition or competition of basketball skills (e.g., a slam dunk contest or a “tour” organized by an NBA business partner) (each, a “Basketball Event”) unless such Basketball Event is approved in writing by the NBA for NBA player participation and complies with the terms and conditions of this Section 3. The NBA will consider an off-season Basketball Event for approval only if a request for such approval is submitted in writing to the NBA, and only if the arrangements made with respect to any such off-season Basketball Event are confirmed in writing to the NBA and satisfy the following requirements, in addition to such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose:

(i) General Requirements .

[...] (4) The names and logos of the NBA and/or any NBA Team are not used or referred to in connection with the Basketball Event, unless the NBA provides express written authorization for such use.

Charity games face additional requirements:

● The NBPA must approve the event ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

(1) The Players Association approves the game (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld); [...]

● All net proceeds must go to charityⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

[...] (2) All proceeds from the sale of tickets to the game and other sources of revenue from the game (e.g., sponsorship revenue) less reasonable expenses incurred to conduct the game are used for charitable purposes; [...].

● NBA referees must officiate, and appropriate medical staff must be presentⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

[...](3) The game is officiated by NBA referees assigned by the NBA to officiate the game. The person or entity organizing the game will be responsible for paying the officiating fees and the actual expenses incurred for the referees’ lodging and transportation to and from the referees’ homes to the site of the game;

(4) There is at least one (1) NBA Team trainer and at least one (1) physician present at the game; [...]

● Players cannot be used in advertising unless the player is also the organiser of the event ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

[...] (5) The name or likeness of an NBA player is not used, or referred to, in advertisements or promotions for or related to the game, except that if the organizer of the game is an NBA player, such organizer-player’s name or likeness may be used, or referred to, in such advertisements or promotions. [...]

● Only current or former professional players may participate ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

[...](6) Only current or former professional basketball players participate in the game; [...].

● No side attractions such as dunk contests are allowed unless separately approved. ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

[...] (7) The game is not accompanied by an exhibition or competition of basketball skills (such as a slam dunk contest), unless such exhibition or competition has been separately approved in writing by the NBA and the Players Association; [...]

● Players cannot be paid beyond reimbursement of reasonable expenses.ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

[...] (8) Participating players are not paid or compensated (in excess of per diem and actual reasonable expenses incurred in traveling to and participating in the game); [...]

● The organiser must guarantee at least $100,000 will be raised for charity ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following: ;

[...] (9) The organizer guarantees that the game will produce at least $100,000 for charity, and, if directed by the NBA and the Players Association, the organizer (or a third party if the organizer itself is a charity) posts security for such amount in a form satisfactory to the NBA and the Players Association which grants the NBA and/or the Players Association the right to sue to recover such amount for the benefit of the charity; [...].

● The game must be played in the United States or Canada ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

(10) The game is played in the United States or Canada; and< [...]

● Audited financial statements must be provided to both the NBA and the NBPA after the event.ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(ii) Additional Charitable Game Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season charitable game for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to such charitable game also satisfy the following:

[...] (11) The organizer agrees to provide the NBA and the Players Association with an audited statement of revenues and expenses, in a form acceptable to the NBA and the Players Association, within sixty (60) days following the game.

Summer leagues also have their own set of rules:

● Players, generally, cannot be paid ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(iii) Additional Summer League Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season summer league for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to each summer league game in which an NBA player participates also satisfy the following:

(1) Participating players are not paid or compensated (except as provided under Section 4(c) below); [...]

● Players cannot participate in side competitions such as dunk contests without separate approval ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(iii) Additional Summer League Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season summer league for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to each summer league game in which an NBA player participates also satisfy the following:

[...] (2) NBA players do not participate in an exhibition or competition of basketball skills (such as a slam dunk contest), unless such exhibition or competition has been separately approved in writing by the NBA; [...]

● Each game must have appropriate medical personnel present ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(iii) Additional Summer League Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season summer league for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to each summer league game in which an NBA player participates also satisfy the following:

[...] (3) There is at least one (1) trainer or at least one (1) physician or other emergency medical personnel present at the game; and [....]

● Games must take place in either the United States or Canada ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(a)(iii) Additional Summer League Requirements

The NBA will consider an off-season summer league for approval only if, in addition to the general requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(i) above and such other reasonable requirements as the NBA may impose, the arrangements made with respect to each summer league game in which an NBA player participates also satisfy the following:

[...] (4) The game is played in the United States or Canada.

Even if an event satisfies all of these requirements, the NBA retains complete discretion over whether to approve it. For non-charity and non-summer-league events, the NBA may also require the organiser to pay a fee as a condition of approval. ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(b) Notwithstanding any other terms of this Section 3, and without limiting the right of the NBA to approve all arrangements of a proposed Basketball Event, the NBA may, in its sole discretion, require, as a condition of its approval of a Basketball Event (other than a charitable game or summer league), that the Basketball Event organizer pay an appropriate fee to the NBA prior to the commencement of the Basketball Event.

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International competition is treated differently. Games played for a player's national team in official FIBA competitions -such as the Olympics or the FIBA World Cup, along with exhibition games played in preparation for said tournament, -are not considered "Basketball Events" and therefore are not subject to these approval requirements. If the exhibition game is played with or televised in America, then it does count - unless Team USA are playing .(No idea why.) ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(c) For purposes of this Section 3, off-season games in which an NBA player participates on behalf of his national basketball federation as part of an international FIBA competition (e.g., the Olympics and FIBA Basketball World Cup), and the preparatory Exhibition games in connection therewith, are excluded from the definition of “Basketball Event”; provided, however, that such exclusion shall not apply to any preparatory Exhibition game (other than games involving the U.S. national team) played and/or telecast in the United States.

Veteran free agents remain subject to these offseason-event rules until the 1st September after their contract expired. However, they may sign and play for teams in non-NBA professional leagues beginning on 1st July after their contract ends, or earlier if the NBA approves - despite the usual season changeover date. ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Veteran Free Agent remains subject to the provisions of this Section 3 until the September 1 following the last Season of his Player Contract; provided, however, that any such Veteran Free Agent shall be permitted to sign a contract with and play in basketball games for a team in a professional basketball league other than the NBA beginning on the July 1 immediately following such Season (or prior to July 1 if approved in writing by the NBA).

The NBA also retains the exclusive right to televise or radio-broadcast any approved basketball event involving NBA players, either directly or through third parties. ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(e) The NBA shall have the exclusive right to (and to authorize third parties to) telecast or broadcast by radio any Basketball Event (in whole or in part) that is approved for NBA player participation in accordance with this Section 3.

Finally, when the NBA reviews requests for any aforementioned summer leagues, charity games or other basketball events, it does not evaluate or enforce safety standards for those events. Approval simply means the event satisfies the league's participation rules, not that the NBA has certified it as safe. ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 3 (Off-Season Basketball Events):

(f) Notwithstanding anything else in this Article XXIII, the NBA, in considering and acting upon a request for approval of a summer league, charity game, or other Basketball Event, does not consider or apply safety requirements for such leagues, games, or events.

Other scheduling matters

Each team will play no more than 82 regular season games, and no more than six preseason games, including intra-squad games if such games have paid spectators. No exhibition games will be played in the three days prior to the team's first regular season game, the day prior to a regular season game, or the days on either side of the All-Star Game. [For clarity, teams are allowed to play exhibition games during the regular season. They just don't.] ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 2 (Exhibition Games):

(a) Exhibition games prior to any Regular Season shall not exceed six (6) (including intra-squad games for which admission is charged), and Exhibition games during any Regular Season shall not exceed three (3).

(b) Exhibition games shall not be played on the three (3) days prior to the Team’s first Regular Season game in the United States or Canada, on the day prior to a Regular Season game, or on the day prior to and the day following the All-Star Game.

Article XX (Scheduling) Section 3 (Regular Season Games):

Each Team agrees that in no event will it play more than eighty-two (82) Regular Season games.

Only nationally televised games will be played on Christmas Day. The home team for any Christmas Day game - or any New Year's Day game - if the players request it, in exchange for a day off from practice later that week; Additionally, no team will be required to travel before 3pm on Christmas or New Year's Day. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 6 (Holidays):

(a) No Team will be required to play a game on December 25, unless such game is to be telecast or cablecast nationally.

[...] (c) Teams at home on December 25 and January 1 (each, a “Holiday”) may, but shall not be required to, conduct a practice on either (or both) of such Holidays, provided: (i) the Team’s players have requested that they practice on the Holiday, as communicated to the Team by the Team’s player representative; and (ii) within seven (7) days before or after the Holiday, the Team’s players are provided with a “day off” – i.e., the Team will not conduct any practice, including any optional practice, on such date, and the Team will not have a scheduled game on such date.

(d) Teams shall not depart for an away game or series of away games prior to 3 p.m. (local time) on December 25 or January 1, unless reasonable transportation arrangements for such game or games cannot be made at or after 3 p.m. (local time).

Games played on New Year's Day and Good Friday will not begin before 6pm local time, unless the Player's Association agrees. That said, if the NBA wants nationally televised games on those days, the Players Association will consent to up to two games on Good Friday, and four on New Year's Day, as long as the teams involved are geographically close to each other, minimising travel. There could therefore be a Knicks vs Nets game at 1pm Eastern on 1st January, for example. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 6 (Holidays:

(b) Games scheduled to be played on January 1 and Good Friday shall not commence prior to 6 p.m. (local time), unless the Players Association consents thereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Players Association will, upon request, consent to the earlier commencement of two (2) games on Good Friday and four (4) games on January 1 if such games are to be broadcast or cablecast nationally, and provided that the Teams involved are in the same time zone or otherwise in close geographic proximity.

If a team plays on the Thursday before an All-Star Game. they will neither play a game on the following Tuesday, nor practice before 2pm local time. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 7 (All-Star):

No Team that plays a game on the Thursday prior to the All-Star Game shall play a game on the Tuesday following the All-Star Game or conduct a practice session prior to such Tuesday at 2 p.m. (local time).

The NBA has broad authority to stage exhibition and regular-season games anywhere in the world. If games are held outside the USA or Canada, however, the NBA is responsible for overseeing the arrangements and ensuring that appropriate accommodations are provided for participating players. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 5 (Location and Scheduling of Games):

(a) Exhibition and Regular Season games may be conducted at any location, within or outside the United States and Canada. The NBA shall supervise the arrangements made with respect to games conducted outside the United States and Canada and the accommodations provided to participating players.

In its draft schedule, the NBA must specifically identify for the NBPA's approval any games in which a team is scheduled to play on the same day that it has travelled across two time zones. ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 5 (Location and Scheduling of Games):

(c) Prior to the NBA’s public announcement of the Regular Season game schedule each year, the NBA shall provide the Players Association with an initial draft of such schedule (no later than the date that such draft is provided to all NBA teams), and the Players Association shall have an opportunity to provide the NBA with comments (within at least as many days as NBA teams are given by the NBA to provide such comments). The NBA shall identify for the Players Association any game(s) included in such draft schedule in which a Team is scheduled to play on the same day that such Team has traveled across two (2) time zones.The NBA shall consider, but shall have no obligation to make any changes in respect of, the Players Association’s comments regarding the draft schedule. The Players Association shall keep the draft schedule confidential, including by maintaining the confidentiality of any differences between the final schedule publicly announced by the NBA and the draft schedule previously received by the Players Association.

There are not a set amount of days in a regular season; the CBA only prescibed that it "equal approximately 174". ⓘArticle XX (Scheduling) Section 5 (Location and Scheduling of Games):

[...] (b) Each year the NBA shall establish the schedule of Regular Season, In-Season Tournament, Play-In, and playoff games in its discretion (subject to Article XXXIX, Section 5), provided that the number of days beginning on the date of the first Regular Season game and continuing through the date of the last Regular Season game each Season shall equal approximately one hundred seventy-four (174).

Players can be required to take part in exhibition games against teams that are not NBA franchises, whether those games are played in the US or abroad. However, if the games are part of a tournament or series outside the United States, the NBA is responsible for overseeing the arrangements and ensuring appropriate accommodations are provided for the players. The league must also make reasonable efforts to create a schedule that minimizes excessive travel and allows adequate time between games. ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 1 (Exhibition Games):

Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 2 of the Uniform Player Contract, players shall be required to participate in Exhibition games between an NBA Team and a non-member of the NBA at any location, within or outside the United States, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The NBA shall supervise the arrangements made with respect to tournaments or series conducted outside the United States and the accommodations provided to NBA players participating in such foreign tournaments or series.

(b) The NBA shall use its best efforts to establish an Exhibition game schedule pursuant to which excessive travel will be avoided and reasonable periods of time between games will be allotted.

Whenever the annual Basketball Hall of Fame Exhibition Game is held, it counts as one of the six preseason exhibition games that a team may require a player to participate in. (That said, they never do.) ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 1 (Exhibition Games):

Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 2 of the Uniform Player Contract, players shall be required to participate in Exhibition games between an NBA Team and a non-member of the NBA at any location, within or outside the United States, subject to the following conditions:

[...] (c) In any year in which it is played, the annual Basketball Hall of Fame Exhibition game shall be considered as one of the six (6) Exhibition games prior to the Regular Season referred to in Paragraph 2 of the Uniform Player Contract.

If a team qualifies for the postseason but does not have to play in the first round - for example, because of a bye - it may arrange a single scrimmage or inter-squad game against another team in the same situation. Players can be required to participate in that scrimmage, even though it falls outside the normal exhibition-game limit. However, the scrimmage must be closed to the public and cannot be staged as a public event. (This also never happens in pracitce.) ⓘArticle XXIII (Exhibition Games and Off-Season Games and Events) Section 2 (Inter-Squad Scrimmage):

In addition to the Exhibition games provided for by Paragraph 2 of the Uniform Player Contract, and during each of the playoff series conducted during the term of this Agreement, any Team that qualifies for the playoffs but is not required to participate in the first round thereof may arrange and require its players to participate in one inter-squad game or scrimmage with another similarly-situated Team, provided that such game or scrimmage is not open to members of the general public.

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