This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is working towards resuming its season. According to ESPN, the league office is expected to issue guidelines around June 1, allowing teams to begin recalling players from their homes.
Teams are already conducting individual workouts, but these are expected to expand to include more team personnel. The NBA halted its season on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the league's plans for the playoffs to a sudden stop.
With the season on hold, the NBA is now considering various options for resuming play. This includes bringing back players who have departed their teams' markets, such as Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who has returned to his home in Europe.
One possibility is to hold games at centralized locations, with ESPN reporting that Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada, are being considered as potential sites. The Athletic has also reported that Walt Disney World in Orlando is gaining traction as a preferred site, with Orlando now considered the top neutral-site candidate.
The concept of a resort setting, such as Walt Disney World, is attractive because it would allow all NBA clubs to be housed in a controlled setting. The Bahamas was also mentioned as a possibility for hosting games.
While the exact format of the remainder of the season remains under discussion, the NBA is expected to announce its plans in June. According to unnamed sources, many owners and club executives expect league commissioner Adam Silver to announce that the season will resume, with games beginning sometime before the end of July.
