What do NBA Players do During the Offseason?

With 82 regular season games in the NBA, teams who make it to the NBA playoffs can play up o an additional 35 games, under the assumption that every playoff game is played to game 7 and the particular team reaches the NBA Finals.  And with so many games played, it can be a common question to wonder, just what do NBA players do during the offseason?

Below, we are going to look at what exactly NBA players do during the offseason and once the NBA season, both regular and playoffs, have been completed.  We will also discuss how their time spent during the offseason helps NBA players to prepare for the upcoming season and helps them to ready themselves to be in better basketball shape and fitness.

How Long is the NBA Offseason?

The NBA, traditionally, is played from the end of October through the beginning of June.  Typically, teams will play 82 regular season games, with a short break in February for the NBA All-Star Game.  The majority of the 82 games will be played against both divisional and conference rivals, with fewer games played against teams in separate conferences.

However, from the 82 regular season games, only half, or 41, of the games will be played at a team’s home court.  This means that the remaining half of the games, or the remaining 41 games, will be played on the road.  And while, for some teams, playing on the road requires little more than a couple of hours road trip to the arena, for many NBA teams, playing on the road requires significant air travel and lodging accommodations.

In addition, for the 16 teams which qualify for the NBA playoffs, additional games, travel, and lodging will be required, all of which place additional stress and fatigue on the players and staff.  And while NBA players are paid handsomely for their time, the stress and fatigue can be difficult and can place a toll on their bodies.

Do NBA Players Get Time Off During the Regular Season?

NBA players, contrary to popular belief, do get paid time off.  Historically, NBA players have been provided with 20-30 days off which they may take during the regular season.  However, although time off is provided, few, if any, NBA players will utilize this time.

The reason is that the NBA is a full-time commitment and one that players take seriously.  In order to not only prove themselves, and also be there for their team, NBA players will rarely take time off from play unless absolutely necessary due to an illness or death in the family.

Similarly, for most NBA players, even if they are unable to play and participate in a game, they will still travel with the team to the game and will remain on the bench throughout the duration of the game.  This is done to provide morale and support to their team and their respective teammates.

Do NBA Players Train During the Offseason?

The NBA is made up of the best basketball players from around the world.  These players not only compete on a high-level day-in and day-out but also push themselves during the offseason to maintain their high-level of play, athleticism, and overall strength and fitness.

In addition, many NBA players will invest in specific basketball training equipment to assist them to better their game and their overall basketball IQ during the offseason.  This not only includes free weights and cardiovascular equipment but also basketball specific training equipment which helps players improve their overall game.

Things NBA Players do During the Offseason

While training, preparing, and maintaining themselves and their game level for the upcoming season is important, many NBA players will take time during the offseason for themselves and their families.  Below are a few activities, projects, and undertakings which NBA players take during the offseason.

• Spend time with family, friends, and loved ones – perhaps above all else, NBA players will spend the majority of their time in the offseason with their family, friends, and loved ones.  This includes travelling to their home city and reconnecting with family members and visiting old friends.  During an NBA season, with the level of travel needed, it can be difficult to keep up with friends and family.  As such, many NBA players will take the time in the offseason to do so.

• Take a Vacation – while many of us think traveling between cities for games should suffice as a form of travel, NBA players rarely, if ever, are given ample time or opportunity during the regular season to fully visit and take in the cities in which they visit.  As such, during the offseason, many NBA players will travel and take much needed rest and relaxation, either at domestic or international locations.

• Do Some Charitable Work – in addition to the above, many NBA players will also work on charitable projects and with charitable organizations during the offseason.  A means to give back and show gratitude for their positions in life, NBA players are often some of the most giving of all professional athletes.

• Work on Business Projects – in addition to charitable projects and organizations, many NBA players will work on their own business ventures and projects.  Often seen as an investment in themselves, and for when they retire, many NBA players will dedicate significant time to business projects.

• Work on their Signature Shoe Line – while not all NBA players have a signature shoe line, many do.  And for those that do, the offseason is a great time and opportunity to dedicate to working with their specific sponsor and further develop, promote, and market their signature shoe line.

• Explore Their Team’s City – for many NBA players who were traded or recently signed to a new team, the offseason is a great time to explore and learn more about their new city.  A major reason why so many NBA players prefer bigger markets and cities, the offseason is a time to explore and learn about the city they now call home.

• Hold Basketball Training Camps – and lastly, for many of the elite players in the NBA, they will have and host their own basketball training camps. Typically inviting the best and most promising young players, they will provide these players an opportunity to showcase their skills to NBA players and scouts and provide them with tips and advice on how to make it to the NBA.