The NBA is reportedly working on multi-phase medical/safety protocols as the league tries to restart the 2019-20 season in July at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Current projections have in-market training camps starting in July, with camps/scrimmages taking place in late July/early August:
Sources: The NBA is working on multi-phase medical/safety protocols toward restart of play. Current projections have in-market training camps in July, then camps/scrimmages in Orlando, then resume play late July/early August.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 27, 2020
It appears that the NBA is gaining some momentum in restarting the 2019-20 campaign, which was suspended in March after Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. However, nothing can be set in stone until the coronavirus pandemic slows down and it’s safe to resume sports.
If games are resumed in Orlando, we still don’t know what type of format there will be. There have been a number of possibilities that have been mentioned but no one knows if regular-season games will be played or if the 2020 playoffs will be started right away with the top 16 teams.
The Milwaukee Bucks had the best record in the NBA before the season was suspended, while the Los Angeles Lakers were atop the Western Conference standings. At the very least, the NBA would like to crown a champion and it appears the execs in the league’s front office are doing whatever it takes to ensure that happens.
The NBA does not expect to reach a decision on a finalized return-to-play plan to emerge from Friday’s Board of Governors meeting. Everything is still very fluid given the magnitude of the situation.
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