The NBA will not issue drug tests to players during the NBA stoppage in play due to the coronavirus, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes.
The collective bargaining agreement states players are subject to “six random, unannounced urine drug tests during each season and off-season.”
Marijuana, cocaine, steroids and performance-enhancing drugs are among the list of banned drugs.
Players who use drugs of abuse are subject to suspensions of at least two years. Performance-enhancing drugs results in a suspension of 25 games for the first violation, 55 for the second, and up to two years for a third.
This season, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, Atlanta Hawks big John Collins and Brooklyn Nets wing Wilson Chandler served 25-game suspensions for violations of the drug policy.
The stoppage of drug testing is temporary, according to Haynes.
For at least the next month, and likely longer, players will not be given tested by the league.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that owners and executives are preparing for a three-month stoppage in action as the best-case scenario.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against any gathering of 50 people or more for the next two months.
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