Shams: Where NBA CBA talks stand, plus new issues on Players Association agenda

With a Dec. 15 mutual opt-out date looming for the NBA and the Players Association under their current collective bargaining agreement, both sides are in serious conversations over key points that will make up the league’s new CBA. NBA commissioner Adam Silver, NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio and their respective parties have held extensive talks recently in a positive environment that is the result of both sides having success at tweaking and adding new elements to the current CBA throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s a look at some of the key issues the NBA and NBPA are working through as well as what to expect in the new CBA, according to various sources with direct knowledge of the dicussions: New draft eligibility rules The league and NBPA are expected to agree on moving the age eligibility for the NBA Draft from 19 years old to 18, clearing the way for the return of high school players who want to make the leap to the NBA, per sources with knowledge of the discussions. New mental health designation on injury report In what would be an unprecedented and progressive change for American pro sports, the NBA and NBPA are discussing measures to allow players to cite mental health issues as an ailment similar to physical injury, per sources with knowledge of the talks.