Adam Silver tells NBA players that season decision could go into June; playing in single location would be safer and speed up playoffs

NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke on a conference call with players on Friday, providing updates on the strategy for hopefully restarting the 2019-2020 season that has been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Silver reportedly told players that the season decision could carry into June, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. If there’s a season, it’s not expected to include fans in attendance.

Silver also explained how it “would be safer to be in a single location, or two locations, to start.” Las Vegas and Orlando appear to be the main cities being considered as host sites.

Additionally, the commissioner told players that the league hopes to be able to have seven-game playoff series in each round, and that the series could move faster if played at a single site.

One aspect that tends to be forgotten about a season restart is the need for players to get back into game shape. Silver told the players that “three weeks” is the minimum length being discussed for a training camp.

Wojnarowski reports that some players vocalized their concern about feeling pressure to return to volunteer workouts, and Silver said he’d address this with the organizations.

And what if the NBA season resumes, but a player tests positive for COVID-19 (after all, it’s what started this whole thing in the sports world)? Silver told players that the league would hope for daily testing by the time that happens, and there would be no stoppage of play.

There’s still a lot to figure out for the NBA on restarting a season, and it’s all still a big “if” at this point amid the pandemic. But the league clearly has a (loose) plan in place, and now the players are aware of the details. And the players reportedly appreciated how candid Silver was on the call.