Forget LeBron Or Giannis, A Microscopic Virus Is Taking Center-Stage In The NBA

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers wearing mask in light of COVID-19/ Basketballforever.com

After coronavirus scares forced the NBA season’s suspension two months ago, officials are considering canceling the season altogether. This unprecedented situation has also cast doubt about both players and staff salaries.

COVID-19’s spread to the United States caused large gatherings for sports, rallies, and other events to be canceled. For the NBA, their hiatus began after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for Coronavirus in early March.

The NBA has not released an official statement regarding what will become of the NBA’s 2020 season. Several different ideas going forward are being discussed, and multiple contingencies are being arranged to prepare the NBA for any course of action.

Resuming the season would ultimately cost the NBA more money as employees would be paid for longer. Their pay would be extended to include the rest of the season, in addition to the gap caused by its suspension. Therefore, even with the massive revenue the league brings in, it could make more economic sense for the NBA to cancel the season.

In the event of a cancellation, the NBA and the Players’ Association decided that player salaries will be reduced by 25%. As for stadium employees, some players and owners, such as notorious billionaire Mark Cuban and rising star Zion Williamson, have also pledged millions to cover their pay.

“Today I am pledging to cover the salaries for all of those Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days,” Williamson said on Instagram. “This is a small way for me to express my support and appreciation for these wonderful people who have been so great to me and my teammates.”

However, while canceling the entire season makes sense from an economic standpoint, it could have complications for the following season. There is uncertainty regarding determining the NBA Draft order, which decides what teams rookies go to. If there is no season, how does the league create an objective draft system? It is also the sheer will to win of the many basketball players and fans that would desperately want to see a champion crowned this season, however strange it has been.

"Factoring those things in, where will we be in May?” Commissioner Adam Silver said in an interview with TNT’s Ernie Johnson. “Will there be an opportunity, and I think beyond the virtue of crowning a champion, what will the symbolism be of major league sports starting back up in this country?”

One possible solution would be to have the playoffs behind closed doors with everyone quarantined in Las Vegas. Every player would be properly vetted beforehand, and any member of any organization still suffering from the coronavirus would not be allowed to participate. Silver, in support of this idea, stated that he is eager to restart the season once he is given the “all clear” from health officials.

There are strong reasons to both shut down the season and to keep it going. Economic advantage, players’ desire to win, and next year’s draft picks are all important, but they ultimately won’t be the deciding factors. In terms of a global health crisis, the NBA is of very minor importance, and the only factor that will truly decide the NBA’s next step is this deadly pandemic’s time frame. If the health experts deem it safe to play by June-July, then the league will undoubtedly resume in the summer; if not, this season will probably be the league’s first-ever cancellation.

Blake Owen also contributed to this article.