The closer we get to the NBA’s plan to restart the 2019-20 season at Disney World in Orlando, the more dangerous it becomes. A group of players led by Kyrie Irving is concerned that a return to basketball will distract the growing social justice movement, and the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen in Florida.
Early Monday morning, Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans, who was in the midst of a career season and is set to be a free agent, opted for the remainder of the season. Now, Portland Trail Blazers forward Trevor Ariza has joined him as the last player to decide to sit down, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
However, Ariza’s reasoning is very different from Bertans, as he is choosing to spend time with his son.
Ariza, a incumbent, has been involved in a custody case for his 12-year-old son, and the mother’s choice to grant a court-ordered one-month visitation period during the league’s team quarantine in Orlando left Ariza to choose those parenting responsibilities instead of competing with the Blazers in the restart of 22 teams, the sources said.
Ariza, 34, could lose between $ 1 million and $ 1.8 million in salary, depending on whether the Blazers qualify for the playoffs, for not participating in the restart. Ariza has a minimally guaranteed contract of $ 12.8 million for the 2020-2021 season.
Due to the league’s health and safety protocols, Ariza was unfortunately unable to bring his son with him to Orlando. According to a document obtained by CBS Sports, player guests will not be allowed until after the first round of the playoffs. This left Ariza to decide between raising or playing. As expected, he chose to be a father.
The veteran forward was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Blazers in January in a deal that involved Kent Bazemore and Anthony Tolliver. In 21 games with the Blazers, he averaged 11 points and 4.8 rebounds, while shooting an impressive 40 percent from 3-point ground. He thought it would be a key part of his rotation for Orlando as they will compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Players wishing to unsubscribe from the bubble environment have until June 24 to notify their teams. The Trail Blazers will have a chance to sign a replacement player for Ariza.
