Report: NBA Sends GMs Survey Outlining Possible Formats for Resuming Season

As the NBA continues to explore resuming play, the league is reportedly seeking input from all 30 general managers about what form this season could take. 

Per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania, a survey was sent to general managers Friday with polling questions on a variety of topics, including "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."

Charania noted some general managers feel this survey allows them to have input on what form the NBA will look like upon returning but that commissioner Adam Silver and the board of governors still maintain "ultimate decision-making power."

Some notable aspects of the survey included different formats for the rest of this season, with general managers choosing between options that include going right into the standard 16-team playoffs based on current standings and a play-in tournament involving the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds and bubble teams. 

There is also a question about whether to keep the traditional playoff format using Eastern and Western Conference teams or reseeding all teams based on record.

General managers are also being asked to give their input on the latest date to finish this season, with four dates starting from Labor Day (Sept. 7) to Nov. 1. 

While there remains no set timetable for the NBA to return, there appears to be a sense of growing optimism that the league will finish this season in some form.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe reported teams are expecting to receive guidelines from the NBA office around June 1 that will allow them to start recalling players who left their home market after the season was suspended in March. 

If the season resumes, Wojnarowski and Lowe noted a two-site format is being considered by the league to keep teams in proximity, with Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas mentioned as possible hosts.