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As the NBA considers its options on resuming the 2019-20 season, the league office is reportedly looking at ways to include Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
According to Windhorst, several executives around the league believe the NBA wants to set up a plan to ensure Williamson is involved in the postseason. To facilitate the Pelicans making the postseason, the NBA would need to expand the format to include 20 or 24 teams, an option that is on the table, since they are on the outside of the playoff picture.
The NBA is considering using a World Cup-style format placing several teams into groups with the top teams from those groups advancing to the next round, for example. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has looked in the past to try innovative ways to implement change and this year appears to be his first opportunity to test new playoff formats.
As Windhorst explained on “Get Up” on Friday morning, the NBA is motivated to include additional teams in the postseason with the Pelicans one of those organizations.
One of the things that I’ve been hearing as I’ve talked to people in the league is the league is going to set up this playoff plan to make sure Zion Williamson is involved. Paranoia is at the top of the list with anything in the NBA. … They’re always paranoid about everything: ‘The league is screwing me, and they’re helping that guy.’ In this case, there’s a number of different reasons why the league would want to have 20 or 24 teams. A number of different reasons to get extra games. But most of those scenarios include having Zion Williamson in the postseason.
The NBA previously announced they are in discussions with The Walt Disney Company to restart the season at the Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida, which could happen as soon as July. The league is still considering several options on what a return to play would look like, though it appears most teams are in favor of expanding playoffs.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, 83% of general managers around the NBA are in favor of expanding the playoffs to include 20 or 24 teams. Additionally, more than half of the league voted to play 72 regular-season games upon returning.
The idea of potentially having Williamson in the playoffs in any format is appealing for the NBA given the attention Williamson receives on the court and off of it. While no decision has been finalized, it appears as though Williamson will see his first taste of playoff basketball this year.
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