While the whole world is still trying to figure out how to deal with the coronavirus, China seems to be slowly recovering from it. Being the first country to be plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses and the like are resuming normal life.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is looming as one of them. The league plans to resume activities by Apr. 15 and it appears that foreign players are already flocking back to China and will start the 14-day quarantine requirement, Sportando reported. This would include getting tested for COVID-19 once they return to China.
Among the players expected to back include Jared Cunningham, Donatas Motiejunas, MarShon Brooks, Ty Lawson, and Jeremy Lin. Games are scheduled to resume in Qingdao and Dongguan.
In a previous post, it was mentioned how some players were apprehensive of returning due to the coronavirus strain with most wary of the possibility of contracting the virus. There is also the travel restrictions set forth by other countries which could stand in the way.
https://www.btimesonline.com/articles/128391/20200314/cba-orders-foreign-players-to-return-penalties-await-for-those-who-dont.htm
One player who could be forced to decide soon is Lance Stephenson. The 29-year-old player is part of the Liaoning Flying Leopards but there was the word that he could be joining the Indiana Pacers. As most know, the NBA is suspended for now and it may take time for the league to resume. There is even a possibility that commissioner Adam Silver could scrap the entire season if things do not improve.
For his part, it may be in Stephenson's best interest to just return to China and resume play for the Flying Leopards. The fact that he has not yet been signed by the Pacers raises questions on whether he would still be able to play in the NBA this season. And with the league currently on shallow water, he could end up wasting his time waiting for nothing.
Rather than wait, Stephenson could hold off plans of making an NBA return next season. It seems like the most plausible choice right now, given that his chances of signing with the Pacers or any other NBA team could be low.
The same scenario also applies to other players who have live contracts with other CBA teams. A return to the NBA would be grand but with plenty of uncertainty, it would be best to continue earning through the international scene. Donatas Motiejunas is another player that drew interest although he has a longer-term deal which is more complicated compared to Stephenson.
