The macro as far as the NBA’s return to play was agreed upon last week between the league and player’s union, but the micro and also the very important personal detail of whether individual players want to play at all and go to join the bubble in Orlando is one that is still being worked out as well. In particular, protections for players who do not want to play and go to the restart site for a variety of reasons, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Amid a backdrop of a pandemic that continues to rise in death toll and protests raging across the nation against racial injustice, the players have multiple concerns. Both sides are expected to agree on a provision allowing players to play if they do not feel safe to go as well.
The NBA and NBPA are nearing completion on items needed to reach a final agreement on parameters of a return-to-play, sources said. Some players with hesitation have been discussing a number of issues on return, including family concerns, COVID-19, social justice, and more.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2020
Sources: If a player has a medical issue that might be cause for him to be excused from the Orlando restart, he would be allowed to undergo an independent examination process. Even if the player was told that he’s fit to play, he could still stay home without consequence.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2020
While union leaders were able to get an agreement on the basics, the players as a group are far from unified in their opinions on going back. No doubt, the death of George Floyd and the unrest that has followed has also weighed heavily on the players as well. All The Smoke host Matt Barnes told Yahoo’s Dunk Bait that a couple of unnamed players on the Lakers and Clippers have concerns about playing because it may take focus away from improving race relations in the United States.
Matt Barnes says some players, including Lakers and Clippers, discussed boycotting NBA season to focus on improving race relations in America pic.twitter.com/YRtgTNVP1Y
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 10, 2020
At some point, we had to expect that many of the players weren’t in lock-step with the union leadership. But the union has made sure to build in protection for their members who do not feel like playing is the right or safe thing to do.
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