Sources say the loosest of cutoff dates on completing the 2020 NBA Finals is Labor Day weekend in early November. Teams say that would necessitate games resuming by July 1st and practice facilities reopening weeks before that. Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7th this year.

Practice facilities are currently closed to players in compliance with CDC recommendations on limiting the spread of COVID-19.

No stakeholders in the NBA, from the owners to teams to players want to limit the possibility of the season being salvaged even if it finishes later than September. 

It is believed the NBA would prefer to finish the season before the start of the NFL season on Thursday, September 10th.