NBA, players union discuss 8-team in-market bubbles

Since news of a potential second bubble in Chicago for the eight teams excluded from the season’s restart in Orlando broke in early July, the plan has evolved considerably.

Now, the NBA and the Players Association are discussing in-market bubbles for the eight teams, which include the Hawks, a person familiar with the situation confirmed to the AJC. The Athletic first reported the plan, detailing that it would begin in September and consist of daily testing, one week of individual workouts, two weeks of group practices and one hour of five-on-five scrimmaging permitted per day.

Essentially, the plan, which is still in the works and is not finalized, would be to loosen practice-facility restrictions for the eight teams and have players enter a bubble for a few weeks in their respective markets, instead of the added logistics of bringing the eight teams to one location. Thus far, those eight teams (the Hawks, Hornets, Cavaliers, Pistons, Knicks, Bulls, Timberwolves and Warriors) have been permitted to hold only individual workouts at their practice facilities, with no team workouts allowed.

The Hawks have been vocal about their desire to play in whatever capacity they can, since their season was cut 15 games short because of the coronavirus. The opportunity for added practice and team workouts would be beneficial, especially for the development of their younger players.

Also, it gives those eight teams, who were at the bottom of the standings, the chance to play for the first time since March 11, when the regular season was first suspended. The 2020-21 season is loosely scheduled to begin Dec. 1, which would make for about nine months with no team activity.