The NBA has sent a survey to its 30 general managers regarding competition formats for the resumption of the 2019-20 season, sources told The Athletic. This continues the NBA’s process of gathering information and input from its organizations prior to a restart amid the coronavirus pandemic.
GMs received the survey late Friday night, which included polling on whether the NBA should do a play-in tournament, the preferred number of teams to enter the playing site and the preferred number of scrimmages or regular-season games prior to the playoffs.
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The feeling is that GMs across the NBA believe that this survey allows them to have input, but also believe the league’s ultimate decision-making power remains in the hands of commissioner Adam Silver and the Board of Governors, as well as the players. Further clarity is expected to come during the upcoming week.
There are still several questions remaining regarding format and testing on the playing site. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the NBA was in serious talks with the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando to become the playing site.
According to multiple sources, the NBA, led by Silver, also held a conference call with GMs on Thursday in which several notable topics were discussed:
- A two-step approach to the start of games: Two-week training camp in a team’s market, then a two-week quarantined training camp in the playing location.
- Players are resistant to the full nasal swab coronavirus test: As a result, the league is working on acquiring more comfortable testing via saliva or via the tip of the nose.
- Once in the bubble site, teams could share support services: This includes doctors and security personnel, to lessen the number of people involved.
GMs then received the survey late Friday night, in which they are able to vote on a series of scenarios, The Athletic has learned.
Season formats for consideration:
— Advance directly to playoffs: (16 teams, four rounds, best-of-seven series) with postseason teams based on standings as of March 12
— A “Playoffs Plus” option: Expanding the number of teams with the opportunity to play, either through holding a play-in tournament to determine the final seed(s) in playoffs, to be played by “bubble teams” or replacing the first round of the playoffs with a group stage.
— If “Playoffs Plus” — how many teams should return to play: 18, 20, 22 or 24?
— Resume regular season with all 30 teams: All teams plays same number of games.
— Resume regular season with all 30 teams, plus play-in: All teams play same number of games, followed by play-in tournament for the final seed(s) and traditional playoffs.
— “Playoffs Plus” play-in format options: Play-in tournament featuring bubble teams for 8th seed; play-in tournament for 7th and 8th seed; or group stage that replaces first round of playoffs and all participating in groups (each team plays two games against each group opponent and top two teams from each group advances to traditional second round).
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Scrimmage games prior to any restart:
— 2, 3, 4, or 5
Total regular season games:
— 72 or 76
Playoff format:
— Traditional (East/West) or reseed all teams
- The possibility of limited roster expansion (choice of 1-3 additional spots, would allow teams to have more players on its inactive list)
- The possibility of expanding playoff rosters for all playoff teams (one or two additional participants)
- The possibility of allowing two-way players to be eligible for playoffs
Latest possible date for finish:
— Labor Day, Sept. 15, Oct. 1, Oct. 15 or Nov. 1
As evidenced by the GM survey and conversations to close the week, the NBA still must reach a point of feeling comfortable on a return to play. As Silver told players on a call this month, the NBA will be choosing from “a lot of bad options” and none that are risk-free.
The NBA will hold a Board of Governors call on Friday, May 29.
(Top Photo: Fernando Medina / NBAE via Getty Images)
