These NBA players are opting out of the Disney World reboot
Houston Rockets forward Thabo Sefolosha has opted out of the NBA’s Disney World restart restart, joining a growing list of players declining to play in the NBA’s bubble league.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news on Wednesday but did not cite a reason for Sefolosha’s decision.
Sefolosha played 41 games off the bench for the Rockets this season, averaging 2.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game. Houston will enter the bubble at 40-24, good for sixth place in the Western Conference.
The Rockets plan to sign veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute in a corresponding roster move, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Other NBA players who have opted out
• Indiana Pacers point guard Victor Oladipo is still coming back from a torn quad tendon suffered in January 2019. He played only 13 games before the hiatus and chose to opt out so that he doesn’t risk the gains he’s made in his rehabilitation given the short ramp-up to playing.
• Dallas Mavericks center Willie Cauley-Stein is expecting a newborn with his partner and won’t join his team in Florida, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports. Charania also reports that the Mavericks are signing veteran free-agent guard Trey Burke.
• Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan and forward Wilson Chandler have both opted out. Jordan chose to opt out after testing positive for COVID-19. Chandler cited “the health and well-being of my family.”
• Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertrans was the first player to opt out. He had a breakout season and is in line for a big payday in free agency. Meanwhile, the Wizards are 5.5 games out of a playoff spot with eight games remaining.
• Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley opted out, citing his family. Before opting out, Bradley joined Kyrie Irving in arguing that playing basketball interferes with the Black Lives Matter movement.
• Portland Trail Blazers forward Trevor Ariza has also reportedly opted out, prioritizing focusing on a custody case and visitation with his 12-year-old son.
Of course, these opt outs are only relevant if the NBA is able to commence with its bubble league. Florida is an epicenter of the nation’s resurgence in COVID-19 cases, putting the NBA’s planned Disney World restart in late July at risk.
NBA players aren’t required to attend
When the NBA announced its restart amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it told players that they won’t be required to attend the Disney World bubble league. Players who opt out will see their salaries reduced for the games that they miss unless they’re deemed to be at risk of severe illness by attending. They won’t be subject to fines or penalties.
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