While it’s all systems go for the remaining 22 teams at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the NBA is now reportedly nearing an agreement to have the eight eliminated squads to hold practices together.
Per Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, the so-called “Delete 8” including the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Golden State Warriors will finally get a chance to restart practice and conduct group workouts next month.
The league will reportedly give the green light starting the second week of August for each team to conduct practices at their individual home facilities.
This will be followed by two weeks of group workouts hosted by two other teams. The NBA has yet to determine which cities will serve as hosts.
While the plan seems solid, this remains contingent upon the approval of the National Basketball Players’ Association.
“I know there are some players, particularly young players, that seem concerned they’re not getting enough” offseason activity,” Union executive director Michele Roberts said last month.
“But I am concerned … in terms of play that doesn’t have the same guarantee of safety and health (regarding the novel coronavirus pandemic) that we’ve provided in Orlando.”
Earlier reports suggested that the league has been looking to set up a similar bubble-like facility in Chicago, but it seems that plan has been scratched after all.
The Delete 8’s separate bubble, meanwhile, will have no bearing whatsoever to the 2019-20 NBA campaign. Still, it’s only fair that these eliminated teams be given the same opportunities to prepare themselves and bounce back next year.
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