Report: 'Optimism Abounds' NBA Season Can Be Saved Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Even though there remains no clear return date for the NBA, there is reportedly a growing sense of optimism in the league that the 2019-20 season can be salvaged amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Per The Athletic's Sam Amick, "optimism abounds" among owners, players, agents and the NBA league office that this season will be played out in some form.
Amick noted that if games are going to be played, they will be done without fans in attendance. He also relayed one idea presented by a team owner that would give players time to get back in shape starting in June, resuming the regular season in July and playing the NBA Finals in October.
Given the current situation, Amick wrote there is a "willingness to be flexible" with everything that makes it easier for people around the league to be hopeful about finishing the season.
On April 6, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told TNT's Ernie Johnson that May 1 would be the earliest the league would begin to consider discussing a potential restart date.
"We should accept that at least for the month of April we won't be in any position to make any decisions," Silver said.
When the NBA suspended play March 11, teams had between 15-19 games remaining in the regular season. The postseason was scheduled to begin Saturday with the Finals set to start June 4.
