NBA Reportedly Targeting July 31 Re-Start, Not All Teams Will Necessarily Be Included

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver led a Board of Governor meeting on Friday afternoon on the possible resumption of the 2019-20 season. No formal decisions were made, but several options were discussed and it’s becoming increasingly evident that the league is nearing a more definitive announcement.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said that while the owners aren’t fully on the same page, they’ll all basically trust Silver to make a final decision that’s best for the NBA and its players:

These are the times when I remind myself how lucky the NBA is to have such solid and reliable leadership. As one of the most progressive and collaborative leagues in the world, it’s been unsurprising to see how well they’ve handled this entire process thus far (*quickly glares at MLB*).

Anyway, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Silver also told those on the call a clear target date for the first time – July 31st. Prior to this, mid-July had been thrown around as the most popular timetable, with a specific mention of July 15th. We also heard there was a possibility for an August restart as well. Now, with these words apparently coming straight from Silver’s fancy mouth, this is the most definitive date yet. Not to mention, this basically acts as the firmest confirmation we’ve gotten that the season will return.

Again, how it will return though is still very much up for grabs. Silver might get the thumbs-up to make the final decision, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to continue to talk it over with everyone. Charania reported the following as the four options legitimately on the table:

Honestly, a 30-team plan feels like a fever dream at this point. I understand why it’s still on the table, but I have to imagine the league will err on the side of caution and take fewer teams. In fact, Hornets owner Michael Jordan (lol that’s funny to write) spoke up to say the league should do exactly that.

The 30-team plan would likely be the only one to incorporate the Chicago Bulls. Currently 11th in the Eastern Conference and 24th-overall, they wouldn’t fit in any of the other proposals unless the 22-team play-in tournament took the 9, 10, and 11 seeds from each conference.

I can’t imagine the NBA opts for that method though, as the teams out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference are pretty significantly behind the 8th seed. Also, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne says the league is considering only teams that are within six spots of the playoffs, which would include only the Washington Wizards (5.5) from the Eastern Conference and then the Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs, and Suns in the Western Conference.

No matter the choice, I’d expect some kind of jump to the playoffs, whether it be directly or via a play-in tournament. If one thing is for sure though, with a July 31st start date, the NBA still has a good amount of time on their hands to figure out some logistics.

Oh, by the way, we should 100 percent plan for next season to start in December.

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

What Would be the Best Draw for the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In Tournament?

Nine games stand between the Chicago Bulls and the Play-In Tournament. I know ... yippie! Practically locked into the No. 9 seed, this puts them in line to host the No. 10 seed at the United Center in Round 1....

Best Defense of the Season, Playing Big, Javonte Green’s Instant Impact, and Other Bulls Bullets

Lose to the 14-win Wizards one game and hold the Pacers' elite offense to their worst performance of the season the next. Your 2023-24 Chicago Bulls, everyone! As I said in last night's Enhanced Box Score, I'm now even more...

WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

Latest News

MVC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Tuesday that feature MVC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores.How to Bet on MVC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Tuesday postseason college basketball schedule, the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Marlins vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Andrew Jacob Puk will take the mound for the Miami Marlins against Martin Perez and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at LoanDepot park.See how to watch the Miami-Pittsburgh...

Warriors vs. Hornets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Golden State Warriors (38-34) hit the court against the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 218 points.Dig into the best bets...

Pacers vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) are 2.5-point underdogs as they look to extend a five-game win streak when they visit the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game airs at 7:00 PM ET on...

Clippers vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) are slightly favored (by 1 point) to continue a three-game road win streak when they visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The point total in the matchup...

Wizards vs. Pistons Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are slight underdogs (by 2.5 points) to stop a five-game road losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The over/under is 229 in the matchup.Check...

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

Spencer Strider will take the mound for the Atlanta Braves when they square off against starter Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you...

more bulls news