The Los Angeles Lakers are the best team in the Western Conference. They are one of the favorites to win the NBA title when the season resumes in July.
But there are a couple members of the purple and gold considering skipping out on the NBA restart.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Lakers shooting guard Avery Bradley was the second player to join Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving in voicing his concerns about the resumption of play.
Second player to speak on tonight's call, behind Kyrie Irving: Lakers guard Avery Bradley, sources said.
Bradley had a passionate message to players, spoke of playing "chess, not checkers." Every tier of NBA player received a forum tonight. https://t.co/0ToMiZOKjl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 13, 2020
Bradley has also reportedly been Irving's wingman in spearheading communication among the players (via Charania):
“Irving and Bradley have led the communication efforts of this group. Sources said Irving has been extremely vocal on NBPA calls during the suspension of the season, challenging executive director Michele Roberts and Paul last Friday about what efforts are being made to align the players and league for sponsorship and endorsement money — or whether it should be solely the players’ responsibility. This was Irving’s way of questioning the norms set forth by the NBPA, sources said.”
Charania also noted Dwight Howard was among the players to suggest playing in Orlando would take away from the social movements combatting racial injustice.
Howard reportedly backed Bradley in his assertion the players needed to stand for change.
These recent discussions have thrown a bit of a wrench in the NBA's return-to-play plan. Though the league included provisions allowing players to sit out and will also let teams carry 17 players on their rosters, key players deciding to stay on the sidelines might impact the integrity of the season.
However, it is also very clear the players are weighing the idea of basketball against their respective roles as vocal leaders and potential change agents.
In any case, Bradley and Howard are grappling with basketball's return amid the current social climate.
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