NBA is not changing the number of games. Period. So much history (and records) is connected to that number. They will continue to try to improve the schedule without reducing the number of games played.
They should just house all the teams in the middle of the country for 9 months so that travel isn't an issue. I suggest Lebanon, Kansas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_center_of_the_contiguous_United_States
AGAIN with a how many games? So AGAIN with my same answer. 82. Give me 100 games. I like basketball. Therefore I want to watch basketball. More games = more basketball. If you like basketball but want less games you're WEIRD. NEXT.