NBA delays 2020 draft lottery, combine over virus

With the future of pro basketball uncertain in the shadow of coronavirus, the NBA has postponed its annual draft lottery and draft combine.

The draft lottery was to be held this month in Chicago, while the draft combine was set for May 19-24.

“More information on each event will be shared at a later date as the NBA continues to closely monitor the coronavirus pandemic and consult with infectious disease specialists, public health experts and government officials,” said a NBA statement.

The 2019-20 NBA season has been suspended since March 11 and there has been no decision yet on its resumption.

On Monday, the NBA announced it will not allow teams to reopen training facilities until at least May 8 to give them more time to implement new safety guidelines.

The US is the world’s hardest-hit country in the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 1.10 million cases and more than 65,000 deaths.