NBA news: League, NBPA could allow players to sit out season restart

The NBA and NBPA are expected to agree on a provision that wouldn't require players to participate in the restart of the 2019-20 season, per Woj.

The NBA and NBPA are expected to agree on a provision that wouldn’t require players to participate in the restart of the 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

In an earlier report by Woj, several NBA players are hesitant to go to Disney World since COVID-19 is still an issue in America and there are a number of cases in Orlando. Moreover, there is also the ongoing mass protests in the U.S. calling to end racism and social injustice.

The NBA and NBPA are expected to agree on a provision that wouldn't require players to restart the season, nor subject them to discipline for staying home, sources tell ESPN. The players would lose a portion of salary for those games missed. https://t.co/WkV5qqEmE5

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2020

Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard Damian Lillard previously said he isn’t going to play in meaningless games because he doesn’t want to risk his health. However, the Blazers will have a shot at making the 2020 playoffs in the NBA’s return-to-play plan, so Lillard will most likely be at Walt Disney World now.

Nonetheless, you can’t really blame the players who don’t feel comfortable even though the NBA has set up a bubble at Walt Disney World. With that said, it’s good that the league won’t discipline the players.

If an NBA player leaves the Walt Disney World bubble, he will have to be quarantined for no less than 10 days and must have two negative coronavirus tests before being able to play again.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors have clinched NBA playoff berths. The Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks virtually have one as well.

In the East, the Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards are in the race for two spots. In the West, the Memphis Grizzlies, Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns will jostle for one spot.