New York Knicks: The Chicago bubble conundrum

Conclusion

Even if everything goes well in Orlando with players and employees not contracting the virus, the Knicks should not entertain the idea of attending the second bubble.

New York has little to gain in Chicago. Even though the league is promoting these games to have a summer league atmosphere, it will be missing one major element, which is the 2020 NBA rookies. Since the draft is set to take place on Oct. 16 and the bubble is looking to start in September, no draft prospects will have the opportunity to play in this mini training camp.

Furthermore, the risk of players getting COVID-19 is still a real issue. Even though the number of players who have tested positive for COVID-19 is currently low, to risk players that are not competing for a championship isn’t a sound plan since there was already controversy about the Orlando bubble.

Also, four games are not enough for players to have to quarantine for 14 days, then train for two weeks. The players are better off working out on their own schedule, playing pick-up basketball, having a team training camp and maybe host some scrimmages.

Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey noted there was an informal poll amongst the non-Orlando coaches, and the sentiment was that teams should hold their own training camp. The reason being that they’re not playing for a championship like the teams in Orlando.

As enjoyable it would be to see the Knicks come back, it’s probably for the best for them sits out, train and prepare for the following season. There is no sense in risking the health of the players on this team, especially when there is nothing to play for.