The news was first reported by ESPN and comes as athletes of all sports are calling for justice in the death of blacks by the police. The league and the players’ association have already announced the objective of taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.
Many former and current NBA players have issued statements, posted on social media, or written about protests after George Floyd’s death in police custody.
LeBron James posted an image on Instagram with one side showing the agent kneeling on Floyd’s neck and Colin Kaepernick kneeling on the other side with the words “This … … Is Why” and the caption “Understand you NOW !!?? !! ?? Or is it still fuzzy for you ?? #StayWoke. “
Michael Jordan wrote in a statement after Floyd’s death that he was “deeply saddened, very upset and angry”.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar defended the protesters in a powerful Los Angeles Times editorial earlier this month.
“African-Americans have lived in a building on fire for many years, smothering the smoke as the flames burn more and more. Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible – even if you you choke on it – – until you let the sun in. Then you see it is everywhere, “wrote the Hall of Fame.
The 2019-2020 NBA season will resume on July 30 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The season was suspended on March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Allen Kim of CNN contributed to this report.