The NBA and NBPA met on Wednesday to assess the feasibility of finishing the remainder of the 2019-20 season without cancellation in the pandemic wake of the coronavirus.
While both sides agreed they would like to play through the regular season schedule, it has also become more apparent it might be impossible unless the league and the union agree to playing games without fans in the arenas.
The NCAA has already announced both the men’s and women’s tournaments will be played in the absence of fans, so it is not impossible the NBA would follow suit.
However, there are alternatives emerging from the madness. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported the NBA is considering pushing the entire league calendar back to allow health officials to get the full scope of the coronavirus:
But sources say the league is still considering more sensible options as well, among them the prospect of pushing its entire calendar back. The NBA has been asking teams to provide its arena schedule through July, which is as clear a sign as any that the notion of putting everything on hold for a while so the authorities can attempt to contain the virus remains in play. If nothing else, it’s a good sign that the focus is moving away from half-measures to full ones – dollars be damned.
Of course, pushing the league schedule back would have plenty of ramifications.
What would it mean for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo (if those games are still being held)? How will the NBA build in an offseason?
There are plenty of logistics to consider. But, as Amick reported, the NBA is prioritizing the safety of players and fans while also trying to deliver the product.
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