In municipalities where coronavirus testing has become available to at-risk health care workers, NBA teams opening facilities for voluntary workouts will be allowed to administer tests to asymptomatic players and staff, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
A select few NBA facilities are reopening in the coming days and weeks. Organizations such as the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be among the teams allowed to conduct coronavirus tests of every player and staff member entering facilities for individual workouts regardless of whether they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:
The NBA recently informed teams of a “limited exception” to guidelines that forbid the testing of asymptomatic individuals in this preliminary phase of players returning to practice facilities. Essentially, the NBA will approve a written authorization from a local health authority that confirms a “robust testing program in place for at-risk health care workers” in the team's community, sources said.
The NBA was forced to suspend the 2019-20 season on March 11th after Utah Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum have expressed concerns about facilities being reopened. NBA owners are hopeful of resuming the season in the summer and finishing it in September, but there are still many challenges ahead in order to resume play.
If the 2019-20 NBA season does return, the likely scenario is jumping right into the playoffs and finishing in August or September. Then, the 2020-21 season could start on Christmas. The 2011-12 lockout season began on Christmas Day.
Before the 2019-20 NBA season was put to a halt, the Milwaukee Bucks had the best record in the league and the Lakers had the top mark out West. The Clippers were also in the hunt, sitting 5.5 games behind the Lakers.
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