Thunder G and NBPA President Chris Paul "does not have any answers to when the NBA can resume play," according to Mark Medina of USA TODAY. Paul said, "It's really just a 'wait-and-see' game hoping that the coronavirus gets contained. What we try to do from the union perspective is try to keep guys informed as much as possible and try to prepare for what we can control." Paul said the NBPA is having "ongoing conversations" with the league office on if, when and how players will get paid during the suspended season. The NBPA also has had "ongoing conversations with the league on how it could salvage the season." Paul said, "If there is any way possible that we can play games for our fans without putting anyone's health at risk, that is what everybody's option is. Not only are we ready to get back and play. The fans are ready to see sports. But everybody understands health comes first before any of that" (USA TODAY, 4/15).
FOLLOW THE LEADER: Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said he has confidence that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will "know when it's time to take the appropriate risk" of returning to play. Pritchard: "There's still going to be risk on the other side of this. It's not going to be risk-less. ... (But) I trust my commissioner implicitly, and we're going to take his lead" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/15).
READY, SET, WAIT? In N.Y., Kristian Winfield writes of the Chinese Basketball Association delay, "If the NBA wants to salvage its season, it may not be able to wait on China's plan of action. The league may need to pave its own path to resuming play amid the coronavirus pandemic that has rocked the United States harder than any country on the planet." Winfield: "If the league wants to resume its season, the NBA is going to have to figure it out themselves" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/15).
