Report: The NBA looks into to resuming season as soon as July

The NBA is discussing a “step-by-step” plan outlining a potential timeline to resume competitive play in July, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. While the league suspended operations on March 11 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, commissioner Adam Silver and the NBPA have worked diligently to salvage what remains of the 2019-2020 regular season and playoffs.

“Barring an unforeseen turn of events, many NBA owners, executives and National Basketball Players Association elders believe commissioner Adam Silver will green-light the return to play in June — with games expected to resume sometime before the end of July, sources said.”

The timeline of events leading up to games includes a two-week player quarantine within their given marketplace, one-to-two weeks of workouts at team facilities, and a two-to-three-week training camp period. The NBA is also contemplating a two-site format, including Disney World in Orlando, and an unnamed venue in Las Vegas, to minimize contact and the possible spread of the virus.

Although optimism and excitement surround a possible return to action, some GMs have expressed concerns regarding the safety of older staff members around the association. The CDC has stated people 65 and older are more susceptible to succumb to serious illness or death from COVID-19, and considering head coach Gregg Popovich is 71-years-old, there is no guarantee the San Antonio Spurs are keen on recommencing what was already shaping up to be a lottery-bound season.

Despite some apprehension, Keith Smith of Yahoo! suggests every team would need to reach the 70 game hallmark in order to fulfill television deals with the majority of Regional Sports Networks. And if organizations are intent upon doing good by their contractual obligations, below is the number of games each franchise would need to complete.

Nothing is officially set in stone, though the NBA is expected to come to a decision within the coming weeks.