NBA can stop older coaches from entering campus environment

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni and New Orleans Pelicans bench boss Alvin Gentry have made it clear they want to return with their players despite warnings about increased vulnerability to COVID-19 for those who are 65-plus years old.

However, the NBA may ultimately make the final decision, as it holds the right to prevent coaches from entering the campus environment at Walt Disney World in Orlando, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

"The NBA has a medical panel that has the ability to bar coaches if they don't believe that they can go there," Windhorst said Wednesday on ESPN's "Get Up!"

Teams can reportedly designate players or staff as "protected" if they're deemed to be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

The league can also ask a panel of physicians to review a player's or staff's personal medical histories, which were reportedly requested from each team.

If physicians determine a coach's risk factors "present a direct threat to his or her health were the individual to participate in the agreed-upon competition," the league can restrict them from joining their respective teams on the campus site, according to the NBA's health and safety protocol obtained by Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month that some of the league's older head coaches may not be permitted on the bench during games, though he later said he "jumped the gun" by suggesting the idea.

Both D'Antoni and Gentry expressed displeasure for being singled out due to their age.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich also fits the criteria for increased vulnerability but has not spoken publicly on the matter.