The most pressing concern for the NBA is finding a plan to ensure a safe return to the hardwood in an effort to finish the 2019-20 season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Miami Heat lifer Udonis Haslem just hopes the league is also accounting for the mental health of its players.

Haslem suggested the NBA needs to deploy resources to make sure players are happy and in a good head space. Otherwise, he cautioned, the product might suffer (via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel):

“You’ve got to give guys outlets, so they can stay mentally healthy,” he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Because, if not, the game is going to struggle, you’re going to get bad basketball. Guys aren’t going to be happy and it’s just not going to work.”

This is a noteworthy point from Haslem.

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Players have already been in isolation for months. Only recently have team facilities begun to re-open, allowing players to work out and get back up to game speed.

At the same time, everything about the process is unnatural. Players still have limited interaction, as NBA protocol limits the number of players at each facility while also suggesting individual players conduct workouts at separate baskets. Of course, players also have to grapple with the notion of playing without fans in the seats.

Chris Paul, president of the NBPA, said on Friday players “want to play bad.” It is clear both the player's union and the league are pushing for a resolution of sorts.

However, Haslem hopes the NBA can use all of its resources to ensure the mental health of the players during these trying times.