3:41pm: As expected, the NBA has indefinitely postponed the lottery and combine, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
11:21am: Now that the calendar has turned to May, the NBA will have to start making some decisions about its own calendar, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times, who points to the May 19 draft lottery and subsequent draft combine as upcoming events that will need to be addressed. Both the lottery and combine are expected to be officially postponed soon, tweets Stein.
[RELATED: Tentative 2020 NBA Draft Dates, Deadlines]
As Stein explains (via Twitter), as long as there’s still hope that the resumption of the 2019/20 season is possible, it doesn’t make sense for the NBA to move forward with its full pre-draft process. The lottery, in particular, is tied to the final regular-season standings, so if there’s still a chance that those standings could change, the lottery will have to wait.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic, who wrote earlier this week about the possibility of the lottery being delayed, heard from one executive that front offices would likely want at least three weeks or so between the lottery and the draft to give teams time to adjust to their exact placement.
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Currently, the draft is scheduled for June 25, but it will certainly be postponed too if the season can be resumed, since the NBA will want the draft to take place in the offseason. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer wrote this week that league sources expect it to be pushed back to August or September — the exact date will hinge in large part on if and when the season can be completed.
As for the combine, even with a two- or three-month delay, it’s hard to imagine it taking place as it normally would. While the NBA could formally postpone it for now, the event may have to eventually be canceled. Still, I’d imagine the league office is exploring virtual alternatives to the usual format, with teams likely pushing the NBA for a way to access prospects’ medical information that would typically be collected at the combine.
I don’t understand the thinking of restarting the season. Both conferences playoff are determined. With the lack of time just play 2 out of 3 series until the conference finals. Trying to prolong the season is not good for the NBA
I agree.. the standings are pretty much set.. those teams on the border should play in a play in” tournament or something to make it fair.. But just start the playoffs in Walt Disney
I agree, arc. It’s probably a money thing but since there was only about 25% of the schedule left it just seems unnecessary. Plus, it will negatively affect the next season imo.
Yeah but going straight to the playoffs doesn’t allow for a warmup for the players.
Silver is spending too much energy with whiners. Execs need three weeks to adjust to their slot?– no, take the next name on their rankings.
Address concerns to the breathing front.