List Of NBA Players Opting Out Of NBA Bubble in Orlando
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The 2019-20 NBA season was no exception for having life turned upside down due to Covid-19. After months of uncertainty, the NBA settled on a shortened play-in schedule and then resuming the playoffs in Orlando. The top 22 teams in the standings were invited to the restart. We have seen players begin to opt-out of the restart for various reasons and the list could continue to grow. It will certainly throw a wrench into starting lineups as games come closer. July 30th is the scheduled starting date for the restart to kick back up. Check out the updated list of players who are not returning due to the opt-out.
Full List of NBA PLayers Opting Out of NBA Bubble
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- DeAndre Jordan
- Wilson Chandler
- Bradley Beal
- Davis Bertans
- Willie Cauley-Stein
- Avery Bradley
- Trevor Ariza
- Taurean Prince
- Thabo Sefalosha
Notable NBA Players Opting Out
Avery Bradley, Los Angeles Lakers
Bradley cited concern for his family, as his son has had a history of respiratory illnesses. While Avery Bradley has not been close to his prime playing days of late, he is a key piece of the Lakers roster that will not be with the team this season. After losing Rajon Rondo 6-8 weeks due to a hand injury, the guards will be a bit thin. Given the injury to Rondo and Bradley opting out, the Lakers will turn to Danny Green and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to soak up more minutes. Alex Caruso is a fan favorite and another name that will likely see minutes. With the playoffs looming, it is unlikely these names will be taking minutes away from LeBron James at point guard.
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Now Bradley Beal’s opt-out is due to an injury. He injured his rotator cuff and will not be ready for the restart. The Wizards chances of getting into the playoffs were very slim, so this is not a knock against a team that was likely to only be in for the regular season anyway. With Beal out, Troy Brown and Ish Smith should be running the show offensively. It will not be pretty, but it will give us a chance to look at some of the younger players on this Wizards team. Washington will look towards next year with a healthy squad.
Davis Bertans, Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a longshot from getting into the playoffs, but since they were not mathematically eliminated, they have entered the NBA bubble. Davis Bertans has been one of the best bench scorers in the Eastern Conference this season and will be a loss for the Wizards. Bertans was a trade candidate at the deadline due to various teams needing an outside scorer. Instead, he turns his focus to the offseason where the Wizards have had an interest in resigning.
Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets
The virus struck Brooklyn hard as multiple players tested positive. Spencer Dinwiddie was one of the earlier names to opt-out of the restart. With Kyrie Irving done for the year already due to injury, the Nets are thinned out for a true point guard. Caris LeVert and Tyler Johnson will see all the minutes they can handle in the absence of Dinwiddie. The Nets were likely going to be a team bounced early in the playoffs, as they were shifting their attention to next season once Irving and Kevin Durant returned from their injuries.
Brooklyn will be without one of their centers as DeAndre Jordan was another member to test positive. Jarrett Allen was the more productive big and will be the starting center once the restart begins. With Nicolas Claxton injured and done for the season, the Nets will not have another true center on the roster. They are likely to go small and use Rodions Kurucs at times at the five. With the Nets roster decimated heading into the restart, the NBA title odds have slipped.
Wilson Chandler, Brooklyn Nets
Another Brooklyn Nets player opting out is Wilson Chandler. While Chandler is just a bench role player it still limits the number of names Brooklyn can use in the restart. Chandler cited taking the health of his family first. Given the state of the Nets and where Chandler is in his career, it is no surprise to see him take the safer route. The Nets re-signed Justin Anderson to help fill the void. However, we should expect Joe Harris and Taurean Prince to see most of the minutes.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Dallas Mavericks
Luckily for the Dallas Mavericks, they have no shortage of bigs. Willie Cauley-Stein has a newborn coming in July and will take the rest of the season off. This opened up a roster spot for the Mavericks to sign Trey Burke. Dallas has Boban Marjanovic, Kristaps Porzingis, Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell as options to use at center and power forward. The opt-out of WCS is not going to turn their title odds one way or the other. This might be a downside for WCS who is going to be looking for another team to play for and has bounced around the league.
Trevor Ariza, Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are currently on the outside looking in but have a chance at the postseason. Trevor Ariza will not be joining the Blazers due to family reasons. Portland has been lacking wing depth and while Ariza chipped in with 11 points per game, he was not a big asset. We will continue to see Carmelo Anthony eat most of the minutes, but Gary Trent Jr is the name who will pick up the minutes. They also have Zach Collins returning from injury.
Question Marks
Victor Oladipo opted out and now has reported that he will give it a go. Now Oladipo’s opt-out was due to injury and not due to the virus. After practicing he has decided he will play. However, this is still news we need to monitor. It would be a big bump to the Pacers if Oladipo is a go.
There is growing belief Pacers star Victor Oladipo will attempt to play in the NBA’s restarted season after multiple strong team practices in Orlando, sources inside the bubble tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2020
Noteworthy Names Who Will Leave Bubble During Restart
There are a few names who will be leaving the bubble during the restart. When they come back is still up to them but they must also pass all the requirements before entering again. Most of these names are due to them leaving for the birth of a child. Gordon Hayward is a name who is expected to leave at some point during the restart, but when is still to be determined. His wife is scheduled to give birth, and Hayward has already said he will leave the team. Mike Conley is another name who will be leaving for the birth of his child. The Jazz are already without Bojan Bogdanovic for the remainder of the season.
