[jwplayer ZqIBojJf]
The 2020-21 NBA G League season could reportedly be in jeopardy of taking place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
The report, which cited industry sources, stated that there have been discussions regarding whether or not the NBA G League season will happen. The league could instead opt to expand NBA rosters if the G League season were to be canceled.
The league is also considering holding a season with a regionalized schedule, similar to what MLB did this year, in order to reduce travel. Typically, NBA G League teams play around 30-35 games during the regular season and travel via commercial flights and bus rides due to financial restrictions.
[lawrence-related id=13691]
However, players could be at added risk of testing positive for the coronavirus by flying on commercial airplanes. Teams could, theoretically, take buses to travel to nearby games during the season, which would eliminate the number of people players would come in contact with.
The potential of expanding NBA roster sizes could help reduce the number of players that travel on call-up assignments or other related moves, which could present challenges with trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus to others.
While the 2020-21 season could be in jeopardy, the NBA G League previously discussed the possibility of holding a tournament in a bubble environment featuring the newly-formed Ignite team, formerly known as the Select Team.
[lawrence-related id=23205]
The tournament would take place in November or December and would include other teams, potentially with undrafted players and free agents. The concept is still being discussed within the league but it would allow players the opportunity to see some action on the court.
Now that the 2019-20 season is officially over, the NBA must iron out several details regarding next season, including the salary-cap situation, the start of free agency and the G League season.
[lawrence-related id=22118,19007,18992]
[vertical-gallery id=14282]