The conversations around the NBA restarting the 2019-20 season are starting to take a different shape. A lot is still unknown, but now there have been rumblings of plans — of which, Brooklyn Nets wing Garrett Temple has been privy to.
One of the vice presidents of the National Basketball Players Association, Temple believes the NBA will find a way to conclude this season. But much of the 2019-20 season’s future is hinged on the development of COVID-19 testing, as he explained on The Athletic’s “Tampering” podcast:
For me, I think the 45-minute (COVID-19) test results is big, the ability to be able to test and get the results that quickly. I agree that fans not being there (at the games) is a plus, but I think if we have a situation where we know the testing can be done, where we know whether the person has it in a much more timely manner, and we test right before we go into the facility, wherever we end up playing (is ideal). Everybody gets tested — if we have enough tests to go around and do that. I feel comfortable enough that the league will have it under control to where we can play if everybody is negative. And whoever isn’t negative, in terms of whoever needs to be in the facility, cannot go into the facility. I would feel comfortable if we have that, and also the facilities being disinfected prior to, directly prior to us entering them. So I think those measures, right now, as well as the basketball … everything in the facility, everything that will be used, being disinfected prior to us using them, as well as people being tested before we enter. Nobody knows how that’s going to look in terms of playoffs, or after the next game do you continue doing that for each game or during the playoffs do people stay in the same area? It’s an interesting situation that’s going to unfold, either way it goes.
Temple also expressed the NBPA has met multiple times to discuss the matter. Mid-June is the target time for return, but with no fans and not at NBA arenas.