No more Roman or Arabic numerals, just an update from various sources on the dates for the NBA’s schedule following the Board of Governors 29-1 vote Thursday in favor of a return-to-play. And of course, it’s all tentative. As Dr. Anthony Fauci, Brooklyn native and head of NIH’s infectious disease division, says: the virus sets the deadline.
—June 5 - NBPA, the players union, votes on return-to-play plan. Kyrie Irving and Garrett Temple are both vice presidents of the union.
—June 20 - NBA camps re-open in team practice facilities
—July 7 - All 22 in the “bubble” travel to Orlando
—Mid-July - Exhibition games or glorified scrimmages
—July 31 - NBA games restart at ESPN Worldwide of Sports on Walt Disney World campus outside Orlando
—August 25 - NBA Draft Lottery
—October 12 - Last possible date for Game 7 of NBA Finals
—October 15 - NBA Draft
—October 18 - Free agency opens
—November 10 - Training camp for 2020-21 season opens in team practice facilities
—December 1 - the 202-21 season opens (date fluid)
This timeline will be updated with information on expansion of team rosters.