Is Union Polling Players On Return Of NBA Action?

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Is the NBAPA polling players on a potential return of NBA action? Conflicting reports on the poll from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski at The Athletic’s Shams Charania emerged Tuesday.

According to Wojnarowski, union officials have reached out to players with a yes or no question regarding their desire to return. Soon after, Charania refuted the story.

“National Basketball Players Association regional representatives started texting NBA players today with a ‘yes or no’ question it says will be kept confidential:” Wojnarowski tweeted. ” Do you want to try and play again this season? The union’s trying to gauge broader sentiment of its 400-plus players.”

National Basketball Players Association regional representatives started texting NBA players today with a 'yes or no' question it says will be kept confidential: Do you want to try and play again this season? The union's trying to gauge broader sentiment of its 400-plus players.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 12, 2020

However, Charania issued a rebuttal.

“The National Basketball Players Association has released a statement to @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium:” Charania tweeted. “The NBPA is not engaging in and has not authorized any formal poll of its players.”

The National Basketball Players Association has released a statement to @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium: “The NBPA is not engaging in and has not authorized any formal poll of its players.”

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 12, 2020

As the NBA explores return to action scenarios, the players’ willingness to resume play will be critical. While owners may be largely in favor of resuming action, it’s the players whose health would be at risk.

Despite ongoing conversations, no decision is imminent about the league’s return. Furthermore, according to Wojnarowski, league commissioner Adam Silver stated: “The NBA doesn’t have to make a decision on re-starting the season in May, nor does it have to decide right away in June.”

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

Furthermore, Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes reported that several stars have formed a united front to resume action this season. The star players’ opinion would likely carry major weight towards the union’s decision on whether to return to play.

Tuesday night, Charania tweeted that the NBAPA has a sense that both the NBA and the players want to complete the 2019-20 season.

“The NBAPA has sent a memo to agents stating sense is players both want to finish the 2019-20 season,” The tweet read.

A committee of the league’s biggest stars will begin working with the NBA on potential plans to return.

Sources: The NBPA has sent a memo to agents stating sense is players and NBA both want to finish the 2019-20 season — and informed reps of the players listed below serving on new committee working with the league on potential plans. https://t.co/fKC0hFiE1M

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 13, 2020

However, not all players are as anxious to return. Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles said the issue runs deeper than the game.

One proposed scenario would see NBA players moved to a private location away from the public. The ‘bubble scenario’ would allow the league to prevent outside carriers to bring the virus into the NBA. As a result, players may find themselves separated from their families for an extended period.

“It would be extremely hard,” Ingles said of the idea, “It would be basically the longest I’ve been away from the kids which I don’t know how much I am willing to do that, as much as I love playing basketball.”

Another Step Towards The Return Of NBA Action

Talks of the poll are another step towards the return to NBA action. On Friday, the league allowed teams to reopen practice facilities in cities deemed safe. The reopening coincided with Silver’s Q and A session with players.

Additionally, 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.

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.

The NBA has been sidelined since March 11.