The NBA is targeting July 31 at its date to resume the 2019-20 campaign, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league office informed Board of Governors that July 31 is a target date for return of season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 29, 2020
The league was suspended back in mid-March after Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor was first to report the July 31st return date last night.
In what form the NBA actually returns, however, is still a question mark.
Charania reported earlier on Friday that the league is discussing four scenarios: going with 16 teams and straight to the playoffs, 20 teams and group/stage play, 22 teams with games to determine seeding and a play-in tournament for the final seeds or bringing back all 30 teams with a shortened 72-game regular season and a play-in tournament.
If the league decides to just go with the 16 best teams, it could end up eliminating conferences and just seed 1-through-16, which is an idea that has been thrown around recently. Should that occur, the Milwaukee Bucks would be the No. 1 seed and would battle the Orlando Magic in the first round.
Regardless, the fact of the matter is that the NBA is obviously doing everything within its power to assure that the 2019-20 campaign resumes in some capacity.
Of course, the format may not please everyone.
The NBA is far from the only major sport that has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The NHL also suspended its season, although it recently announced its plan for a return. The 2020 MLB campaign was also pushed back.
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