The NBA is approaching to sign a second “bubble” in Chicago for the eight teams that were not invited to play in Florida, allowing them to participate in a mini training camp and after games against other clubs with a September target date, sources said to ESPN on Thursday.
Details are still being worked out, and the teams continue to push for an alternative plan that will allow them to organize mini-camps within their local markets and explore the idea of establishing regional sites where teams can battle each other.
Multiple team sources said union leader Michele Roberts has been adamant that non-playoff teams follow the same protocol as the 22 teams that will be quarantined in Orlando and competing for the NBA championship. . Commissioner Adam Silver, confirmed by those on the call, supports Roberts on this issue.
“Michele has made it clear that this will be the case,” said a member of the central office whose team pushed to create a mini camp within their own market. “Adam agrees with this. I understand her point, but it is frustrating for us that we can’t loosen the restrictions a bit so we can do some work in our own gyms.”
Seven of the eight non-playoff teams participated in a call Thursday with league officials, with the New York Knicks as the only team without a representative on the call, sources told ESPN. In that call, the league sought assurances from teams that they will send their players if they advance in the bubble format, sources told ESPN.
The game would be similar to a summer league format, with specific parameters still under discussion.
The Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Knicks were the eight teams that were not invited to Orlando for the league restart.
“How they frame it is almost irrelevant to us,” a general manager told ESPN. “It is more of an opportunity for our youth to work with game simulation.”
Pistons coach Dwane Casey said he conducted an informal poll of coaches who are not in Orlando, and claims that most of them prefer to have their own mini-camps.
“We’d rather do that than go to the bubble,” Casey said, “because unlike those teams in Orlando, we wouldn’t be playing for the same reason.”
“The reason we want these mini-camps is to bring our team together, have that camaraderie, improve and enjoy the competition. We believe that we can do it safely in our own environment. We cannot let these boys sit by there. From March 11 to December without something. It’s going to hurt their careers. It’s too long a layoff. “
Some teams have lobbied for a two-week delay before the second bubble closes as concern grows over the number of NBA players testing positive for the coronavirus and the number of cases increasing in Florida.
“Some of us would like to see how things are going in Orlando,” a team official told ESPN.
Other teams believe that a two-week delay could torpedo the bubble’s chances entirely.
“Look at how long it takes to sort out all of Orlando’s details,” said a team general manager. “We don’t have that kind of time.”
The Warriors, who have notable championship-pedigree veterans, including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, have agreed to participate if the bubble concept is fulfilled, CEO Bob Myers said, though he did not specify who would be on the list. list.
“Our position is: ‘Let us know what’s possible,'” Myers said. “Until we really know, it’s hard to say. If we can get the majority of our players to leave. And if it is beneficial, we will. If we can’t, we’ll take what we can get. “This is all about balancing health and safety. From the team’s point of view, what solutions tick as many boxes as possible?
“One of the things is that you try not to judge. Everyone is right in a way. Whether we look for the opportunity to make our young players work in a safe environment locally or in a second bubble, we support the chase. Now, yes Whether we get there or not, it’s really a matter of health and safety. “
While Curry or Thompson are unlikely to play in Chicago, there are several young players, such as Hawks star Trae Young and Cavaliers star Collin Sexton, who would appreciate the opportunity.
The second bubble will be created at a substantial cost to be divided among the 30 teams, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The idea of providing the eight non-playoff teams with options to play came out of concern that the long layoff would negatively impact young players whose continued development is critical to their franchises. Most teams favored a mini camp within their own market and then a week or two of games against other NBA clubs.
Roberts backed down, insisting that it was not fair to treat 22 teams one way, with strict daily testing, quarantine requirements, and self-sacrifice, and allowing the other eight teams to design their own rules.
A general manager reported that his players were relieved to learn that his bubble would also require daily testing, such as in Orlando.
The NBA has discussed creating the bubble in Chicago with approximately two weeks of practice, then four games for each team. Participation in the bubble would be completely voluntary, the sources said.
“They probably won’t see Blake Griffin and guys like that,” said a general manager, “but I bet some veterans will show up. These guys are missing basketball. They are eager to play.”
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