Lakers’ JaVale McGee skeptical of resuming season in isolation

The NBA is considering all of its options as it looks to somehow salvage the 2019-20 season, but a player on one of the league’s top teams has his doubts about the idea that has seemed to gain the most traction thus far.

In an interview this week with Allie Clifton of Spectrum SportsNet, Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee said that he was skeptical about the possibility of playing out the rest of the season in an isolated setting.

“I thought that was a great idea, but I also know, or I assume … I don’t think people are really going to be able to be quarantined for six weeks,” said the veteran McGee, per Silver Screen and Roll. “Like, I just don’t think that’s going to be possible — I understand that they want it to be possible. And then you have to think about the hotel staff, they go home every day. I just think there’s a lot of factors that you can’t put into it.”

The proposed scenario would likely have players and essential team staff quarantined in a single location such as Las Vegas to finish out the season. McGee’s Lakers had the best record in the Western Conference at the time that play was suspended, so they would have incentive for the season to continue given ideal circumstances.

Without being able to guarantee the safety and comfort of all those involved however, there may be no such ideal circumstances, even if the NBA is still said to be optimistic about finding a way to resume the season.