As the NBA waits to see if resuming regular-season play will be possible, the league is also considering the possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the next two events on its schedule: The NBA draft lottery and combine.
Marc Berman of the New York Post reported on Tuesday that the lottery and combine could be next on the proverbial “chopping block.” The draft lottery is tentatively scheduled for May 19 in Chicago, while the combine is scheduled for May 21-24.
However, if the league doesn’t return to play for another two or three months, then both events would have to be canceled or pushed back. That being said, Berman writes that the NBA has not made any final decisions about the draft lottery or the combine.
On Tuesday, we looked at the potential lottery odds for the 14 teams in contention for the first overall draft pick.
Here’s more on what’s happening with the NBA:
- Marc Stein of the New York Times explains why the NBA wants to resume the season instead of moving onto next season. As Stein writes, the desire to crown a champion and avoid more substantial revenue losses are among the league’s concerns.
- At least three teams (the Kings, Bucks, and Warriors) wanted the NBA to take a hiatus before last Wednesday’s games were played, writes Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY. In his story, Zillgitt also details NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s thought process behind shutting down the league.
- ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that the NBA is planning to raise its credit line to $1.2 billion to help with the extended shutdown due to the coronavirus. Wojnarowski adds that the league’s credit line was previously $650MM.
Read that at first as “hilarious notes”
Why even have the lottery as an in-person event? This could be done by videoconference, sans the “try on the hat” nonsense. If they want to televise it, the announcements could easily be done through split-screen from various team offices.
Agree 100% ..
Knicks hopefully will win lottery this year since they are lost out on Zion. However this draft doesn’t have a Zion caliber player
What about every other team that lost out on Zion? Don’t they deserve it just as much as the Knicks?
Whoa…Are you suggesting that New York is not the center of everybody’s universe? Next you’re going to tell me that Zion and every free agent don’t have it in their heart a desire to be a Knick first and foremost.
Fate as a conspirator.
However, it might make sense to just distribute the top draftees sensibly by agreement, with an eye to overall differences in NBA profit from different assignments. So, maximize profit before being fair with assignments. After all, there’s not a lot of stake in the draft order, talent-wise– they will nearly all disappoint in the end.
The main factor would be position-filling, followed by local roots.
Just pointing out that Obi Toppin played in Cleveland’s state, and everyone thinks KLove will be traded.
Also, while LaMelo Ball is too good for LA slots, he has a slim connection to NE Ohio with his Spire Institute term. A dedicated ballhandler who can defend the 3 would be good for the Cavs.
Actually any prospect besides Isaac Okoro would be a victory. I keep confusing him with Cav draftee Okaro White; plus he’s overrated.
I agree with you concerning Okoro. Similar in size to undersized forwards Nassir Little, Demare Carrol, Rondae Hollis Jefferson, Michael Kidd Gilchrest, Evan Turner and Offensively challenged as well. The Four best prospects are LaMelo Ball, Obi Toppin, James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards. Jillian Hayes I also believe is a fine point guard. Deni Avdija will take several years to become an accomplished NBA player or perhaps he fails similarly to Mario Herzonja. The Cavaliers will show their ignorance if they draft Avdija to replace Osman just as they drafted Garland to replace Sexton yet the replacements drafted are worse than the starters they were brought in to replace.