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Eric WoodyardESPN
The NBA restart in Orlando is approaching, but a member of the Indiana Pacers has not fully committed to joining the team, according to Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard.
Out of respect for the player, Pritchard did not reveal his name, but said he “would not be fully judged if he did not want to.”
“We are giving him all the information, we are updating it and then it must be his decision because once you make the decision, you have to jump on both feet,” Pritchard said. “You cannot be astride. You must be inside or outside. Again, there are no judgments at all.”
Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon announced last week that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. And All-Star guard Victor Oladipo recently told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that he would not commit to restarting until after increasing his activity to assess his repaired ruptured quadruple tendon.
Indiana will resume mandatory individual trainings at the St. Vincent Center in Indianapolis on Wednesday, July 1 and plans to present its final list of travel parties on the same date. Oladipo has been at the practice facility every morning since its reopening, showing great signs.
“I don’t think I have seen him in better shape than I have seen him in a long time today,” Pritchard said. “I think he’s taking this time to climb physical, mental stairs … I’m really impressed by what I’ve seen of him. Now, it’s just workouts, they can’t go 5-on-5, but by comparison he’s in good shape.” .
Brogdon currently remains in quarantine and away from the team after testing positive for the coronavirus, but the franchise was able to deliver the team to his home so that he can stay in shape before rejoining the team in Florida once he is free.
Pritchard confirmed that members of the organization are being evaluated every other day. After listening to the league’s safety plan before the NBA restart, he has gone from “apprehensive to exciting” because he believes the bubble setup “could be the safest place in the world.”
Indiana (39-26) will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, August 1 to begin the action.
“We have to know tomorrow about each player. I think we have one who is still on the fence. The only thing with him is that we have given him a lot of space,” Pritchard said. “This is a very personal decision and there is no judgment or decision to be made, we want to support him. Obviously we want him to play, but it is a very individual decision and I don’t want to be the type of leader who says ‘you have to do it.'”
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