A report in 2021 that suggested the NBA could make as much as $7 billion to $8 billion per season in its next media rights deal appears to be overly optimistic. 

Sources tell CNBC this week that an annual increase closer to 100 percent is more likely given the secular declines in linear pay TV combined with streaming businesses that are still losing billions of dollars annually.

The NBA currently makes $2.6 billion per year in its agreement with TNT and ESPN. A 100 percent increase would put the NBA at around $5 billion per season. 

When the current deal was negotiated, the league did not open up talks with outside bidders as TNT and ESPN agreed to extensions. During these talks, it is expected to open up to Apple, Amazon, NBC and possibly others.

The NBA's salary cap is based on a percentage of basketball related income with their national media rights deals comprising a significant portion of those revenues.