The NBA announced Monday that it is now targeting "no earlier than May 8 to allow limited, individual workouts in cities not subject to government restrictions."
It had initially been expected that facilities would begin to open in those states on May 1.
With several states in the process of rolling back stay-at-home orders that have been in effect in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the NBA said in its release Monday that while they're planning to modify the guidance regarding the use of training facilities that "it may push this timing back if developments warrant."
Regarding players who are in states whose stay-at-home guidelines are still in effect, SNY's Ian Begley is hearing the NBA and NBPA are discussing alternatives for players living in a market with loosened restrictions who play for other teams.
"The potential rules changes would allow teams to make their practice facilities available for use by the team's players for workouts or treatment on a voluntary, individual basis if the team's facility is in a city that is no longer subject to a government restriction," the league said. "For any team that, due to a government restriction, is prohibited from making its facility available for use by the team's players, the league will work with the team to identify alternatives."
The league has also put several restrictions in place, per Begley:
- No more than four players would be permitted at a facility at any one time.
- Players need to remain 12 feet apart in facilities and on the court
- No head or assistant coaches could participate.
- Group activity remains prohibited, including practices or scrimmages.
- Players and staff will have temperature checked each time they enter the facility.
- Teams may discourage players from showering or changing at the facility to limit time spent there.
- Players remain prohibited from using non-team facilities such as public health clubs, fitness centers, or gyms.
Additionally, players will be required to wear masks at all times, except when participating in physical activity. Staff will wear gloves as well as masks at all times.
The Knicks and Nets are two of the teams whose facilities will continue to be inaccessible on May 8, with stay-at-home orders in New York in place through May 15. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that the state will reassess its current regulations at that point, and that those regulations will likely be extended in some parts.