NBA working to let players put social justice statements on jerseys

The NBA and union are working together to allow players the option to replace the name on their jersey with a social justice statement during the season's restart in Orlando, Oklahoma City Thunder guard and NBPA president Chris Paul told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears.

"We're just trying to continue to shed light on the different social justice issues that guys around our league continue to talk about day in and day out," Paul said. "People are saying that social justice will be off of everybody's mind in Orlando. With these jerseys, it doesn't go away."

The union sent players the initial details of the plan Saturday, noting it's also working with Nike, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

One of the players' reported concerns in recent weeks is how they'll be able to use their platform to speak up about issues, such as anti-Black racism and police brutality, once they enter the NBA's bubble in Florida.

The league has a history of accommodating social justice statements, including warmup shirts featuring the phrase "I can't breathe."