The NBA is moving closer to being back open for business.

According to reports, the NBA sent a memo to teams on Tuesday informing them that NBA arenas can be unlocked Thursday and players will be allowed in for the first time since the July 1 lockout began.

Training camps and free agency still can’t officially open until Dec. 9 and that is still contingent upon both the owners and players signing off on the new collective bargaining agreement. But for now we have real signs of progress as teams will be able to hold voluntary player workouts and physicals can be given.

The only catches, according to ESPN.com, are teams can’t hold practices or work out players and players will have to sign an insurance waiver that will clear the team in case of injury. But beginning Thursday signed players, unsigned rookies and free agents will all be allowed into team facilities. Teams can also begin to talk with agents about free agents.

In other developments, AP is reporting through a source that the Dec. 25 lineup will now include five games instead of the originally planned three. The original plan included marquee matchups between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers and the rematch of last season’s NBA finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.

It is still not known which teams will play in the two additional games on opening day but the league is expected to make an announcement later this week.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris

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