Report: Decision On The NBA’s Return Could Come In The Next 2-4 Weeks
May 12, 2020, 9:40 PM | Updated: May 13, 2020, 11:18 am
NBA commissioner Adam Silver (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A decision on whether or not to resume the NBA season could be on the horizon. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that a decision on the NBA’s return could come in the next 2-4 weeks. Commissioner Adam Silver set the timeframe in a call with the league’s Board of Governors.
The league suspended its play on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. The NBA has been exploring opportunities to return to action since shutting its doors.
“Adam Silver told Board of Governors today that he is among for a 2-to-4 week timetable on the decision about whether to resume season,” Charania tweeter.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver told Board of Governors today that he is aiming for a 2-to-4 week timetable on the decision about whether to resume season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 13, 2020
A decision within the next month could allow the league to return as soon mid-July. The NBA has discussed a 25-day mini camp to get players back prepared to retake the floor.
The first 11 days of camp would be used for conditioning. The final two weeks would resemble a traditional training camp.
Players Want To Return
As the league bleeds revenue, a push to return to play exists between players and the owners. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been an outspoken advocate for returning.
“As soon as it’s safe we would like to finish our season,” James tweeted. “I’m ready and our team is ready. Nobody should be canceling anything.”
Saw some reports about execs and agents wanting to cancel season??? That’s absolutely not true. Nobody I know saying anything like that. As soon as it’s safe we would like to finish our season. I’m ready and our team is ready. Nobody should be canceling anything. 👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 30, 2020
Meanwhile, Jazz players have weighed in on how they view a return to the court.
“If we do get back to playing we’re going to need a lot of time to build our way back into it,” Guard Donovan Mitchell said. “It’s not just the getting in shape stuff but finding that rhythm. We were really at our peak or getting towards that peak time as far as rhythm goes and now that’s got to restart.”
Furthermore, Joe Ingles added onto Mitchell’s thoughts.
“Nothing simulates playing basketball,” Ingles said. “Regardless of if and when we get to go back and play, there’s going to have to be some component of a mini-training camp or something. We can run all we want, and lift as many weights, run up the mountains here in Utah. But, it’s not going to simulate the five on five of a game.”
What Does A Return Look Like?
While the decision on the NBA’s return could come in the next 2-4 weeks, what that looks like has yet to be decided.
The league has two venues prepared to host games should the season resume. Both Las Vegas and Disney Resorts in Orlando have proposed to host the games. The league could utilize both cities should they choose to return.
Can Disney World save the @UtahJazz and the NBA season?#TakeNote https://t.co/swLiTthGpH
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 30, 2020
Last week, Wojnarowski reported that some NBA teams have been cleared to begin testing players for COVID-19. Even asymptomatic players can be tested in some cities with adequate tests.
Most promising of all, the NBA has resisted canceling the season. Even facing an uphill battle to return, Silver has remained patient regarding longterm plans. While it would have been easier logistically to cancel the season, Silver is keeping the league’s options open for the future.
