The NBA plans to allow the 22 teams affected by the resumption of the season at the end of July in Orlando (Florida) to increase their strength from 15 to 17 players.
This will compensate for the possible risk of injury or positive tests for the coronavirus, ESPN reports on Thursday.
In addition to the 15 players under standard contract, the franchises will be able to take to Disney World two others signed within the framework of a “two-part contract”. Normally, these players can be used for up to 45 days by an NBA team. Beyond that, they must return to the affiliated team in the G League.
Some teams already have players under this type of contract. The league should therefore open a transfer window, for a week at the end of June, to allow clubs to complete or reshape their membership, including the eight not affected by the resumption of the season in Orlando.
Among the free players on the market include the pivot DeMarcus Cousins, the leader Isaiah Thomas, the back JR Smith or Jamal Crawford.
The NBA is also in the process of fine-tuning the match schedule and while it initially set the restart of the season on July 31, it is considering the possibility of advancing it by one day, still says ESPN, citing sources. anonymous within the league.
The sports channel finally claims that 14 of the 22 teams will be eliminated within 53 days of their arrival in Florida. Only four teams will remain after 67 days. The league expects the finals to begin on September 30.
ats, dpa
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