File photo of Yao Ming.

Expected changes to the Basketball Hall of Fame election process could see Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson and China's Yao Ming among those inducted in 2016, according to a National Basketball Association website report on Monday.

Citing unnamed sources, the report said the Basketball Hall of Fame changes will include reducing by one year the wait for eligibility for induction to the sporting shrine.

The wait time would be shortened from five seasons in retirement to four, officials wanting to avoid what has become a sixth year of waiting by the time the vote process is completed.

The new plan would see eligibility after five calendar years rather than five NBA seasons and that would open the door early for several candidates that could be first ballot selections, notably Yao, O'Neal, Iverson as well as Jason Kidd and Steve Nash.

Yao and Shaq would not have been on the ballot for another year under prior Hall rules.

Some carryover candidates might find themselves squeezed with new stars moving ahead in the Hall picture, notably Tim Hardaway, Kevin Johnson and Chris Webber.

Yao had rejected being nominated as a contributor to the sport, which would have come without the five-year retirement wait.

Finalists for the Class of 2016 are expected to be announced in February with selections in April and enshrinement in September at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

On the courts on Monday, San Antonio built a giant 46-point lead thanks to its smothering defense before easing up to beat Utah 118-81 and extend its stellar start to the season.

The Spurs improved to 21-5 — the second-best start in franchise history — and retained their 6-1/2 game lead in the Southwest Division.

Kawhi Leonard had 22 points while LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker added 18 points each for the Spurs, who are 13-0 at home.

Derrick Favors led the visiting Jazz with 16 points.

Elsewhere, it was: Pacers 106, Raptors 90; Magic 105, Nets 82; Clippers 105, Pistons 103 (in overtime); Bulls 115, 76ers 96; Grizzlies 112, Wizards 95; Heat 100, Hawks 88; Mavericks 104, Suns 94; Nuggets 114, Rockets 108; and Trail Blazers 105, Pelicans 101.

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