Report: NBPA approves 22-team return-to-play format

The NBPA has unanimously approved the 22-team return-to-play format, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The 16 teams already in playoff positions will be joined in Orlando by six other clubs that are all within six games of the No. 8 seed in their respective conferences.

The league and players' association will work through a number of details over the next week but are ready to move toward a July 31 tipoff, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Teams will play two-to-three exhibition contests before resuming the 2019-20 regular season, according to Charania.

Players are expected to have a three-hour practice window and access to two courts and weight rooms.

The NBPA reportedly informed players Friday that coronavirus testing will occur nightly. It will likely include mouth swabs/light nasal swabs and not the full, invasive nasal swab.

Any player who tests positive will reportedly be quarantined for a minimum of seven days.

A maximum of 1,600 people will be permitted at the Walt Disney World site in Orlando, with players' families allowed entry following the first round of the playoffs.

Each family member who makes the trip is subject to a mandatory quarantine period of seven days, sources told Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Families will reportedly be limited to a party of three, with some exceptions, according to Charania.

NBPA executive director Michele Roberts expressed some concern Thursday regarding the Dec. 1 start date for the 2020-21 season. However, the NBPA reportedly told players Friday that the targeted date is "unlikely" and plans to negotiate a more appropriate opening tipoff for the following campaign.