During an interview with ESPN, Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse was asked if the proposed Dec. 22 start date for the 2020-21 season is too early for players and coaches.

In typical Nurse fashion, the former Coach of the Year said not at all.

Nick Nurse said he and his Raptors players are ready to play now if they had to. However, he also acknowledged the possibility of the team relocating temporarily to the U.S. amid the COVID-19 restrictions in Canada.

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Toronto, after winning the 2019 championship over the Golden State Warriors behind the stellar play of Kawhi Leonard, fell to the Boston Celtics in the 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Boston defeated Toronto in seven epic games down in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World.

It's going to be interesting to see when the 2020-21 season will start. It's likely going to begin on Dec. 22, although some players around the league are pushing for a January start date.

Nurse and the Raptors want the 2020-21 season to start as soon as possible, as Toronto is ready to get things going after coming up short of its goal in 2019-20.

Once the 2020 free agency period begins, the Raptors have to re-sign point guard Fred VanVleet, who becomes an unrestricted free agent. After Nurse and Co. take care of VanVleet, the front office can turn its attention to big men Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, who both become unrestricted free agents as well.