Few professional sports leagues have been as heavily impacted by COVID-19 than the NBA. After an abrupt hiatus, the completely restructured season did not end until October 11th when the Lakers won the title in the NBA bubble. Due to the pandemic, the season ended nearly five months later than the usual mid-April Finals date, making it the longest NBA season in history. This has surfaced questions about if and how the typical NBA schedule will ever get back on track.
For now, the upcoming season is scheduled to start on December 22nd, with the end date to be determined at a later time. It will be a much-anticipated start for teams that did not make the bubble, whose players will not have had played a game for 286 days, a substantially longer break than the 72-day break players from the Finals teams will have received. Teams will play 72 games, ten games fewer than the usual season. Additionally, the benefit of fans at home games will vary on a team-by-team basis, depending on the region’s severity of outbreaks. Not all things are equal heading into this season, but both players and fans alike will have to learn how to exist within these changes if the NBA is to see a completed 2020-21 season.
The end of this year will also hold another key date: the NBA draft. The class of 2020 has suffered through a painfully irregular draft season, all leading up to the official draft date on November 18th. Here are some key players who will look to go early:
1. LaMelo Ball, Point Guard, Australia
Standing at 6-foot-7, the 19-year-old superstar from the Australian National League is expected to be an early first-round pick. He has been lauded for his refined court vision and passing ability. Although his shot could use work, he is a top tier talent in his draft class. With Minnesota with the 1st pick in need of depth and the Bulls with the 4th pick in need of a solid point guard, it is unlikely that Ball will fall below the 5th pick of the draft on Wednesday night.
2. James Wiseman, Center, Memphis
Wiseman is a first-round no-brainer. Towering at over 7 feet, Wiseman is arguably the most physically talented player in his draft class. Although the role of the NBA’s big man in today’s game is still debated, there is no doubt that Wiseman’s sheer athleticism will be a great addition to any team looking to develop a strong starting core. Watch for him to go early to teams like Charolette or Golden State, who desperately need to rebuild.
3. Tyrese Haliburton, Guard, Iowa State
This Iowa State guard can fill a stat sheet. Possessing high game IQ on both sides of the ball, Haliburton has been praised for his exceptional decision-making and long-range shooting ability. Although he has unconventional shooting form and struggles with shot and handle versatility, he is a consistent and reliable stand-out who has the ability to take on a big role in his first NBA season. Atlanta has the 6th pick of the draft and could select the 20-year-old to aid their elite players, Trey Young and John Collins.
4. Isaac Okoro, Small Forward, Auburn
Originally projected to be a general first-round option, Okoro is now thought to be a solid top-10, potentially even top-5, pick. This SF from Auburn is known for his strong finishing abilities. He drives to the rim and is virtually unstoppable inside the paint. Additionally, Okoro has a high ceiling on the defensive side of the ball, showing great agility and versatility. His biggest weakness is his mid-to long-range shooting abilities, but it should be something that many teams would be willing to develop in exchange for a player of high athletic ability and sheer toughness.
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