Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler has joined a growing list of NBA players who have chosen not to restart the league’s Disney World, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
The 33-year-old reportedly informed the team of his decision, citing a desire to spend more time with his family, especially his three children and grandmother, who raised him as the main reason.
From ESPN:
“As difficult as it will be not being with my teammates, my family’s health and well-being have to come first,” Chandler told ESPN on Sunday afternoon. “Thanks to the Nets organization for understanding and supporting me in this decision, and I will be observing and supporting our team in Orlando.”
Chandler, who is playing his twelfth season in the league, had started in the Nets’ last three games before the league went into recess. He averaged 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game this season, his first with the Nets after signing with the team in the offseason.
Where are the Nets without Chandler?
According to ESPN, Rodions Kurucs and Taurean Prince are likely to absorb some of Chandler’s minutes. Since then, the Nets have signed free agent Justin Anderson to fill Chandler’s spot.
The Nets will enter Disney World with a playoff spot likely on hand. With eight games left in the regular season to play, the Nets currently have the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference at 30-34 and are six games ahead of ninth place, the Wizards 24-40.
Of course, not much is expected of the Nets in the playoffs with Kyrie Irving still out after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, and all signs point to Kevin Durant not returning from last season’s Achilles tear. . The closure of the pandemic or not, waiting to contend until the moment that Durant and Irving could share the field was always the expectation.
Wilson Chandler is choosing the family for money and basketball. Even more players could join him. (AP Photo / Kathy Willens)
Which NBA players have chosen not to restart Disney World?
Chandler joins a growing list of NBA players, mostly league veterans, who have refused to join their teams at Disney World next month. The reasons behind each decision vary widely, but most of them stem from the family.
Those players, and their reasons, are:
• The Portland Trail Blazers overtake Trevor Ariza, who promised a one-month visitation window with his 12-year-old son.
• The Washington Wizards are ahead of Davis Bertans, who has a history of LCA injuries and is about to hit what should be a lucrative free agency.
• Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley, whose 6-year-old son has a history of respiratory problems.
• Dallas Mavericks center Willie Cauley-Stein, whose partner is expecting a newborn child in July.
The odds are those players and Chandler won’t be the only players who will choose not to participate in the coming days. For many in the league, the prospect of playing at Disney World is fraught with decisions about safety for themselves and their families. Basketball is also not the only sport facing such decisions.
With COVID-19 rates still on the rise in Florida, the NBA “bubble” may not be as secure as previously thought. The NBA itself will be quarantined, but many of the Disney World employees who deal with them will not.
NBA players are not required to attend the restart, but will see their wages reduced for the games they lose, unless they are determined to be at risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. Given that choice, many healthy players could still end up choosing the family for money.
