Is NBA Preparing To Reseed Playoffs 1-16?

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Is the NBA hinting at reseeding the playoffs 1-16? In the latest article from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA insider claims only six teams non-playoff teams will be invited to Orlando’s Dinsey World Resorts. Those six teams are the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards.

Of the six, five teams belong to the Western Conference. Only the Washington Wizards come from the East. Those teams would be chosen because they are within six games of the eighth seed in both conferences. However, it wouldn’t be fair to make six teams (including the Memphis Grizzlies) compete for one spot in the West. Meanwhile, only the Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic would be competing for the eighth seed in the East.

ESPN Sources: As the NBA models a 22-team format for a July 31 resumption in Orlando, the proposed timeline for teams as the last possible date for an NBA Finals Game 7: October 12.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2020

Do six teams unequally split teams mean the NBA is considering reseeding the postseason with teams 1-16? Reseeding the playoffs has been rumored since early in the league’s hiatus. With all games being played in one city, the travel difficulty that required separating the conferences is no longer an issue. Thus, the league could seed the playoffs by the best record, regardless of the conference.

However, if the league is planning to bring back 22 teams, conference alignment could still be a factor. Thursday’s Board of Governors vote will likely reveal which format NBA Commissioner Adam Silver favors.

NBA Reseeding Playoffs 1-16

Unfortunately for the Utah Jazz, reseeding the playoffs would likely paint a dark picture. The Jazz have been eliminated by the Houston Rockets each of the last two seasons. With the new bracket, the Jazz would once again face the Rockets in their opening playoff round.

A reseeded NBA playoff bracket would paint a nightmare scenario for the @UtahJazz, even beyond the Houston Rockets. #TakeNote https://t.co/tWQ9OrSVqV

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 25, 2020

If the higher seed won out, even if the Jazz were to advance, their championship pathway would be grim. The Jazz would face the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks after meeting Houston.

The Jazz are winless in four meetings with the Lakers and Raptors this season. However, they did split the season series with the Bucks, who hold the NBA’s best record.

Current Standings

If the playoffs seeding is set for the teams 1-7 in each conference, the Jazz would face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. The two teams have split their season series 1-1.

If the Jazz are still battling for their playoff seeding, their playoff opponent could be any number of teams. Seeds 3-6 in the West are separated by just 2.5 games. The Jazz, Thunder, Rockets, and Denver Nuggets could all realistically change seeds before the regular season is completed.

Even the second and seventh seeds in the West are up for grabs. The Jazz sit just three games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the second seed. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are just 2.5 games behind the Jazz.