Daily NBA News for July 5, 2020
2020-07-05 11:30:00 EDT
Here’s your daily roundup of all the current NBA news that’s affecting the planned 2019-20 season restart and playoffs. Today we’re checking in on some schedule news and players around the league, so let’s get right to it with the latest NBA updates. Check back all season long for free NBA picks and NBA predictions at Sports Chat Place.
Player Opt-Out Update – We’ve still got until July 30 before the NBA officially gets going on the court again, but with teams prepping for travel to Orlando this week we’ve still got plenty of news to wade through. One major concern roster-wise is over players opting out of the Disney World plans, and that list is ever-giteming. Let’s check out a few of the big names who won’t be taking part in basketball for the remainder of the season.
The Pacers’ Victor Oladipo says he will travel to Orlando with the team, but won’t be playing due to health concerns. Oladipo is coming off a quad injury and still isn’t 100 percent, and fears a quick ramp-up in physical activity would be detrimental to his rehab.
DeAndre Jordan, Kyrie Irving and Wilson Chandler of the Brooklyn Nets won’t be on the court either. Irving is still recovering after shoulder surgery in March (and doesn’t seem to like the idea of a restart anyway). Chandler cited health concerns for his reasoning, and Jordan tested positive for COVID-19 back on Monday.
The Lakers will be without guard Avery Bradley as well. Bradley’s primary factor for declining to participate is the health of his son, who has had issues with respiratory illness in the past and probably wouldn’t be allowed into the bubble.
The Trail Blazers’ Trevor Ariza has similar reservations due to family concerns and won’t be playing either. Ariza is currently undergoing a custody dispute for his son and understandably wishes to be available for visitation and care.
Lionel Hollins Won’t Join Lakers – Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Lionel Hollins will not be joining the team when they leave for Disney World this week. He was placed in the category of “higher-risk” due to some underlying health conditions and cannot safely resume his duties.
Despite not being in Orlando physically, Hollins will still participate as a coach on a remote basis for the remainder of the season.
NBA Scrimmage Schedule – Provided everything goes according to plan, the NBA will begin a series of scrimmage games on July 22. Each team involved in the restart will play three exhibition matchups before the season officially gets going again on July 30. The league released a schedule for those scrimmage matchups this weekend, so let’s take a look at the first day of that slate.
On July 22 (Wednesday), the NBA will kick off again with an exhibition between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers at 3:00 pm ET. The Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets face off at 3:30 ET, then the New Orleans Pelicans get the Brooklyn Nets at 7:00 ET. The first day of basketball’s return finishes up with a game between the Sacramento Kings and the Miami Heat at 8:00 ET.
