NBA unlikely to start back up until June... at the earliest
CDC recommendation of no events of 50-plus people for next two months comes as a number of NBA owners and executives increasingly believe a best case scenario is a mid-to-late June return to play -- with no fans. League's scouting for possible arena dates all the way thru August.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 15, 2020
Everything is a fluid situation with the NBA and this pandemic. Initially there was hope that the NBA might be back in a month's time. Today the optimistic outlook is maybe NBA basketball will be back in three months time. Maybe all these efforts to flatten the curve by social distancing will work and we'll get to see Celtics basketball again in June. Still there are many people that don't understand their role in stopping this. Based on all the people that were out at crowded bars yesterday, many Americans still don't understand the seriousness of this pandemic. We won't get past it and in turn have professional sports again until we do.
New: Starting immediately and for the next 8 weeks, CDC recommends cancelling all events of 50 or more people. Full recommendation here: https://t.co/LrjUt4rl7B #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OroIqhTYJo— CDC (@CDCgov) March 16, 2020
The NBA has extended its ban on team practices indefinitely, league sources tell ESPN. Players are still able to work out individually at team facilities.— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 16, 2020
NBA has sent memo to teams telling them that players can leave respective cities during hiatus, league source tell ESPN.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2020
Here's a potential schedule if things take a turn for the better the next three months and NBA and Celtics basketball returns in mid to late June:
Interesting when you lay it out:— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 16, 2020
Mid-June- start of the NBA playoffs
Early August- NBA Finals
End of August- Draft
Sept. 1- Start of FA
Sept. 10- Summer/fall league
Dec. 10- training camp opens
Dec. 25- regular season opens (82 games)
Mid-June- NBA season ends
I could also see a scenario where the 2020/2021 season isn't 82 games. Would be a lot of back to backs, which players and teams hate. Not mentioned anywhere is the Olympics. Whenever that takes place, don't expect the USA basketball team to have the top NBA stars on it.
