Mike Ehrmann / Associated Press
The NBA and NBPA are reportedly in “serious talks” about creating a bubble program in the market for the eight teams that were not part of the NBA reboot in Orlando, Florida.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the program would include daily testing of COVID-19, one week of individual workouts, two weeks of group practice and one hour of five-on-five play per day.
Through the payback of the 2019-20 NBA season, 22 teams looked into the NBA bubble in Orlando. Regular season play will end Friday with the Western Conference-in-game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies taking place Saturday with Game 2 on Sunday, as needed.
The Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors were the eight teams that did not have good enough records to be invited to the NBA campus in Orlando.
None of these teams has played since the 2019-20 season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, which means they could be at a significant disadvantage when it comes time to prepare for the 2020-21 season.
However, if these teams are allowed to gather and practice, it can go a long way to defeating the rest.
The NBA draft and free agency are scheduled for October after the NBA Finals come to an end, and although there is talk of the 2020-21 NBA season starting in December, no date has been set in stone.
Uncertainty regarding the 2020-21 season will be played inside the bubble or normally played in the home arenas of teams is one of the reasons why it is not yet known when the 2020-21 season will start.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told Chris Mannix fan Sports Illustrated on Thursday that not finding a way to get all 30 teams inside the bubble was his biggest regret regarding the NBA reboot, but if a deal can be reached to train those remaining eight teams, it could create a fairer environment in the 2020-21 campaign.
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