Young Stars Want NBA To Provide Insurance For Career-Threatening Injuries
Some of the league’s best young players talked to the National Basketball Players Association on Friday about creating an insurance system financed by the league that would protect them in case of career-threatening injuries when play resumes in Orlando, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Sources tell Wojnarowski that Bam Adebayo, De’Aaron Fox, Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum were part of a call with NBPA executive director Michele Roberts and senior counsel Ron Klempner. All five players will be eligible for rookie-scale extensions this offseason, and they want the union to negotiate insurance policies with the NBA that would protect their future earnings.
[RELATED: Players Eligible For Rookie Scale Extensions In 2020 Offseason]
Players in general believe they’re facing a higher-than-normal risk of serious injury after not being able to play for more than three months. Adebayo, Fox, Kuzma, Mitchell and Tatum are hoping their combined voices will help win protections for players on all 22 teams involved in the restart.
The league has been in talks with the union about providing some form of protection for players who are either injured or suffer severe cases of coronavirus during the games in Orlando, according to sources. Negotiations are continuing on possible alterations to the Collective Bargaining Agreement before play resumes.
Sources estimate to Wojnarowski that policies for players on the brink of a maximum extension could cost up to $500K to protect them through the end of the playoffs. He adds that apart from a career-ending incident, it would be difficult to prove that any injury is directly responsible for a reduction in future earnings.
Dr. Anthony Fauci Supportive Of NBA’s Restart Plan
With tentative dates, protocols and logistics in place, the NBA is further along than a number of other professional sports organizations as it looks to resume its season. The plan also has the support of the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Speaking to Stadium, Fauci said he has reviewed the league’s blueprint to resume play and commended the plan.
“It is really quite creative,” Fauci said. “I think they might very well be quite successful with it. It is to create a situation where it is as safe as possibly can be for the players by creating this bubble.
“Essentially testing everybody, make sure you start with a baseline of everybody being negative and make sure there is no influx into that cohort of individuals.”
Given a spike in coronavirus cases in the state of Florida, along with certain unclear safety measures and the fallout from the civil unrest, the NBA’s potential return has hit a snag this week. However, if everything progresses toward the playing stage, Fauci is in full support.
“It’s something that I think is a sound plan,” he added. “I was pleased to see that the intent was not reckless at all. They really wanted to make sure the safety of the players and those associated with the players was paramount.”
George Hill On Resuming Season: “Last Thought On My Mind”
Amid civil unrest in the United States, the resumption of the 2019/20 NBA season has taken a backseat. After a Kyrie Irving-led conference call on Friday, the possibility of not reporting to Orlando and canceling the season was discussed as a means of not overshadowing the current social issues.
One player, in particular, who has been focusing on social justice issues rather than basketball is Bucks veteran guard George Hill, ESPN’s Eric Woodyard writes. While the 34-year-old maintains he is in good physical shape, the fallout of the George Floyd murder and the ensuing unrest around the world has shifted his perspective.
“I’ve been working every day since this all started with my body, my game and things like that, but as a whole, I can care less about basketball right now. … that’s my last thought on my mind is basketball,” Hill said. “I can care less what’s going on. I think there’s bigger issues and bigger things to tackle in life right now than a basketball game.”
In addition to the social impact, some doubt has been cast on the NBA’s plan to resume in Orlando given a recent spike of coronavirus cases in Florida and unclear safety protocols.
Hill stressed his role as a prominent athlete is to advocate for change that goes beyond the basketball court. While he feels physically up for the challenge, Hill noted his mental state still needs time to catch up.
“I don’t know how it’s going to affect me on the basketball court,” he said. “I know that I, physically, have been working my ass off this entire time I’ve been off. I haven’t taken one day off since this whole hiatus has came into effect. … I’m in great physical shape, but mentally, I’ve still got a little more work to do.”
Safety Protocols In Place For Support Staff In Orlando
As the NBA works toward resuming the 2019/20 season in Orlando, some of the safety protocols to reduce the risk of coronavirus spread have surfaced.
Per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press (Twitter links), all Disney personnel on-site will be required to wear masks and gloves while undergoing daily temperature screenings. Additionally, hotel workers will be assigned to designated areas and will not rotate through different properties as the NBA season and postseason continues. Reynolds noted that restaurant staff will be stationed at the same eateries without rotation as well.
Shams Charania of The Athletic adds (Twitter link) that staff will adhere to social distancing guidelines, meaning they won’t be allowed within six feet of an NBA participant.
As discussed on a Kyrie Irving-led conference call on Friday, a number of players have concerns about the NBA’s restart plan that go beyond health and safety. As we relayed earlier this week, there are concerns than an NBA restart would divert attention from systemic racism to just basketball. Players are also wary of being away from their families and the restrictive nature of the proposed Orlando “bubble.”
However, safety is also an important concern and represents one of the key areas to address before the restart plan can be fully finalized.
Players’ Conference Call Focuses On Restart Concerns
More than 80 players participated in a conference call on Friday night to address concerns over the NBA’s restart plan, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets.
Nets guard Kyrie Irving was the leading voice on the call, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. While the NBA has solidified key restart dates, a plan approved by player reps last week, Irving has emerged as the most prominent player with major reservations about resuming the season.
Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Donovan Mitchell were among the participants on the call, and numerous players voiced their concerns about finishing the season amid nationwide unrest regarding social injustice and racism, Charania adds.
During the call, one unnamed player texted Wojnarowski regarding some of the issues raised during the call (Twitter link), including playing in the Orlando bubble: “(Kyrie)’s trying to give players a platform to be able to have a discussion — on the bubble, racial equality and unity. … It’s a good call.”
Irving underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in March. His presence in Orlando would only be as an interested observer and to support his Nets teammates.
Irving was an active participant in last week’s call when the reps agreed to the restart plan and only chimed in with mundane questions. Thus, his actions to organize a broader conference call that could change or even halt the restart plan has surprised several of his NBPA colleagues, according to Wojnarowski.
Irving’s stance has pitted him against many of the league’s superstars, most of whom have strongly supported the resumption of the season. Irving seems to be relishing the clash, Wojnarowski adds.
Central Rumors: Poeltl, Griffin, Porter, Thompson
The Spurs’ Jakob Poeltl and the Kings’ Harry Giles are two of the centers the Pistons could target in free agency, James Edwards III of The Athletic opines. Poeltl began his NBA career under Pistons coach Dwane Casey in Toronto and his agent, Michael Tellem, is the son of Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, Edwards notes. Giles, like Poeltl, has the ability to develop into a much greater force than he’s shown with his current club, Edwards adds.
We have more from the Central Division:
- The 2019/20 season was a wash for Pistons star forward Blake Griffin due to knee and hamstring injuries. However, the oft-injured Griffin believes he has plenty left in the tank, as he told the Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa II (Twitter link) and other media members. Griffin said he doesn’t see his current contract, which lasts through the 2021/22 season, as his last. He also doesn’t view himself as being in decline. Griffin said last month he’s fully recovered from knee surgery in early January.
- It’s doubtful Otto Porter will remain on the Bulls beyond his current contract, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago speculates. Porter’s expiring contract — provided he opts in for $28.5MM next season — is his main value to the organization. Given Porter’s injury history, Johnson anticipates there are other long-term plans for the wing spot beyond Porter.
- While many NBA experts believe free agent Tristan Thompson has played his last game with the Cavaliers, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has heard otherwise (hat tip to Hoops Hype’s Alex Kennedy). On the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Fedor said Thompson is intrigued by the idea of finishing his career in Cleveland. “There’s also a sense that the Cavs recognize the value that Tristan Thompson brings,” Fedor said. “And Tristan being one of the greatest Cavaliers of all-time and eventually having his jersey hung and continuing to climb the ranks of the all-time Cavs is something that’s meaningful to him.”
And-Ones: Larkin, Kulboka, Brussino, U17 World Cup
Shane Larkin won’t return to the NBA unless he’s guaranteed consistent playing time, Andrew Favakeh of Fansided.com reports. Larkin has established himself as one of the top point guards in Europe and played for Istanbul’s Anadolu Efes this season. In his last NBA stint in 2017/18, Larkin played 54 games for the Celtics. “I will not go back to the NBA as a third point guard,” Larkin said. “So, if any team asks about that, we’re not even gonna answer the phone.”
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Hornets’ draft-and-stash prospect Arnoldas Kulboka has officially re-signed with Spanish club Bilbao Basket for two more seasons, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The 22-year-old Lithuanian forward was selected by the Hornets with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2018 draft, but has yet to sign an NBA contract. His agent previously stated that that if not for the coronavirus pandemic, his client planned to join Charlotte next season. It’s uncertain whether there are any opt-outs in Kulboka’s newest contract.
- Former NBA wing Nicolas Brussino has re-signed with Spain’s Casademont Zaragoza, Carchia notes in a separate Sportando story. The Argentinean was averaging 9.8 PPG and 4,0 RPG in ACB. Brussino’s last appearance in the NBA came during the 2017/18 season, when he played four games with Atlanta.
- The FIBA U17 World Cup has been cancelled, Jonathan Givony of ESPN tweets. It had previously been postponed until August. FIBA will look into holding the event next year, Givony adds.
Wizards Notes: Wall, Beal, Monumental Sports
Wizards point guard John Wall won’t return to the court this summer when the 2019/20 season resumes, but the teammates who got a look at the rehabbing star when he played five-on-five scrimmages this winter are enthusiastic about his progress, as Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington details.
Appearing on Chris Miller’s Wizards Talk podcast, Isaac Bonga suggested that fans and outside observers may be underestimating Wall’s potential impact once he’s ready to return in 2020/21.
“I think people don’t get how still crazy-good John is right now,” Bonga said. “People don’t get it. People don’t get it. Seeing John… with us and (with) G-League (players). It’s like, man, he cannot wait. He legit can’t wait to be back out there. That’s what he (was) showing every day out there. It’s crazy.”
During Wall’s lengthy absence, Bradley Beal has taken his game to a next level, increasing his scoring average to an impressive 30.5 PPG in 2019/20. Bonga told Miller that he’s excited to see the Wizards’ starting backcourt at full strength again next season: “Having those two back out there together again? It’s going to be a big problem.”
Here’s more on the Wizards:
- A new round of Bradley Beal-related trade rumors surfaced this week, but they’re more of the same, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington, who suggests that the Wizards can’t do much but continue to laugh them off. While Hughes acknowledges that the team’s – or Beal’s – stance could change at some point, he thinks the All-Star’s future probably “isn’t worth circling back to” until after next season.
- Monumental Sports, the company that owns the Wizards, announced this week that employees earning more than $75K will have their pay checks reduced by 20% between July 12 and the end of the year. The decision doesn’t affect NBA players or contract employees, but figures to impact some people in the Wizards’ organization. Samantha Pell of The Washington Post has the story.
- In case you missed it, we asked in a poll earlier this week whether the Wizards will steal the No. 8 seed from Orlando or Brooklyn this summer. The consensus? Probably not.
Restart Notes: CBA, Orlando, BLM, Salaries
As concerns spread among NBA players about the league’s Orlando restart plan, several high-profile players are talking to their fellow players about the possible negative financial impact that not playing would have, not just on this season but on future years, reports Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
If the NBA and NBPA can’t reach a deal to complete this season and are unable to agree on the necessary adjustments to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league would have the power to terminate the CBA outright and renegotiate it. Those high-profile players are making it clear that the NBPA wouldn’t have any real leverage negotiating a new CBA with team owners in the middle of a pandemic, says Goodwill (via Twitter).
Here’s more on the NBA’s restart, as players continue to express a variety of concerns about the plan:
- The NBA is working to convey to players that framing the restart as if everyone will be spending three months isolated in Orlando is misleading, per Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks of ESPN. As Woj and Marks notes, 14 of the 22 teams (the six that miss the postseason and the eight that lose in the first round) will be eliminated and can return home within 53 days of arriving in Disney. Players on the eight teams still active at that point are expected to be able to bring a limited number of guests to Orlando.
- Sources tell Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) that several players intend to use the global attention the NBA’s return will receive to promote and support the Black Lives Matter movement this summer. However, players remain concerned that the NBA’s restart will draw attention away from the ongoing battle for social justice reforms. “Once we start playing basketball again, the news will turn from systemic racism to ‘who did what’ in the game last night,” one player told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). “It’s a crucial time for us to be able to play and blend that to impact what’s happening in our communities.”
- According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN (hat tip to Dan Feldman of NBC Sports), every player on an NBA roster will be paid the same pro-rated percentage of his salary for the final games of the season — even players on the bottom eight teams, who won’t be in action. While that may not be a perfect solution, it wouldn’t be fair to players on those inactive teams if they lose a greater portion of their salaries because the NBA decided not to include them in the restart.
Hawks Notes: Collins, Capela, Young
One of 24 players who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension during the abridged 2020 offseason, Hawks big man John Collins said today that he’s “in good hopes and good spirits” that the two sides will be able to work something out (Twitter link via Chris Kirschner of The Athletic).
Collins has said multiple times in recent months that he feels as if he’s worthy of a maximum-salary contract or something close to it on his next deal. However, he suggested today that he’ll also prioritize getting something done ahead of his fourth year rather than waiting until 2021 — perhaps even if it means taking a little less.
“I would always want to get it done now than later,” Collins said, per Sarah K. Spencer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). “… I feel like that’s just natural, human nature. For me, security-wise and going forth I could say a million reasons why I want to get it done now, but I would always rather it be sooner than later, so sooner. This summer.”
If Collins and the Hawks don’t reach an agreement this offseason, it would put him on track for restricted free agency in 2021. He’ll almost certainly be in line for a big payday either way, but if he’s looking for security, he may follow in the footsteps of last year’s group of rookie scale extension candidates — nine of those players signed offseason extensions in 2019, with Brandon Ingram and Malik Beasley among the only legit candidates for new contracts who didn’t get them.
Here’s more on the Hawks:
- Speaking today to reporters, including Chris Kirschner of The Athletic (Twitter link), veteran center Clint Capela said his heel – plagued by plantar fasciitis during the season – feels “way, way better.” Although Capela feels as if the injury has healed, he won’t be able to definitively say he’s 100% until he’s able to do 5-on-5 work, Kirschner adds.
- In a mailbag for The Athletic, Kirschner explores the idea of the Hawks attempting to make a “consolidation trade” for a star, identifies some possible offseason free agent targets, and addresses a handful of other topics.
- In the wake of the NBA’s decision not to include the Hawks in plans to restart the 2019/20 campaign, Trae Young is using Atlanta’s exclusion as fuel heading into next year, as Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays. “Getting this time off is really motivating all of us to not be in this position again next year,” Young said.
Chris Crouse contributed to this post.