The NBA 2020-21 season could start as late as December as the current season’s fate still hangs in the balance.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the global sporting calendar since January, with leagues across all sports being postponed or cancelled.
The NBA was the first organisation in the world to announce they would suspend all operations in a bid to help slow the outbreak.
Now league bosses are trying to decide what to do with the remainder of the 2019-20 season and when the NBA 2020-21 season should start.
As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the next season could be delayed as late as December and be extended into July or August.
Reports suggest that if the NBA 2020-21 season were to start in December then players believe a lockout-like schedule would be followed, meaning teams will play less than 82 games in the regular season.
READ MORE: Get all the latest updates about the impact of coronavirus here
Wojnarowski claims there is support for a December start with NBA commissioner Adam Silver preparing teams for the possibility of a delay to next season in a bid to address long-term concerns whether this season is completed or not.
The delayed start for next season would allow the NBA more time to complete this current season should that be their decision.
It also makes it more likely that fans will be able to attend the game as vaccines for the coronavirus are not expected until next year.