NBA 2019-20 season is set to return on July 31 after a break of over four months due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The NBA had suspended the season on March 12 after the Utah Jazz centre player Rudy Gobert was tested positive of the coronavirus.
The league is finally making a comeback in Orlando with all the matches to be played at the Walt Disney World Resort. Initially, Kyrie Irving who has been dealing with his shoulder injury appealed the players to skip the season if it resumes. And now it seems like some players have actually opted out of the season resumption and one such player is Portland Trail Blazers’ forward Trevor Ariza, preferring to spend time with his son after battling a custody case over his 12-year-old son.
Sources: Ariza has been involved in a custody case over his 12-year old son, and mother’s choice of granting a court-ordered one month visitation period during league’s quarantine of teams in Orlando left Ariza to choose those parenting responsibilities over competing in restart. https://t.co/STYQi2RGDW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2020
The NBA has already announced that players are allowed to do what’s most suitable for them as well as their family even if it includes sitting out of when the season restarts on July 31. In fact, no penalty will be imposed in spite of their contracts with their respective teams. Adrian Wojnarowski also confirmed that Washington Wizards’ player Davis Bertans will also sit out as he is entering a free agency.
Reporting with @TimBontemps: Washington Wizards F Davis Bertans has decided to sit out the Orlando restart, sources tell ESPN. Bertans is entering free agency off of his most productive NBA season – with two ACL injuries in his past.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2020
Although players can still notify their teams about their final decision by 24th June if they plan to opt-out or play the remainder of the season so the team management could arrange for the proper travelling and safety for them.
Other players who are still tentative to play if the season resumes are: Dwight Howard (Los Angeles Lakers), Avery Bradley (Los Angeles Lakers) and Justise Winslow (Memphis Grizzlies).
