On Monday, when the Golden State Warriors started training camp, forward Draymond Green and recent No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman were absent. It was reported last week that that two Warriors players had tested positive for the coronavirus, causing the team to delay the beginning of their training camp.
On Monday afternoon, Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed the media. He said he would not comment on either player’s absence any further, but that “you can make your own deductions.” Kerr is not allowed to name players who test positive for COVID-19. According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Connor Letourneau, Wiseman and Green are the two players who tested positive for the disease.
Originally, the Warriors reported that two players had tested positive for the virus last Tuesday, and according to instructions given by the NBA, Green and Wiseman would need to quarantine away from the team for 10 to 12 days before registering two negative COVID-19 tests to suit up again.
The Warriors are one of the few teams that have had to either close practice facilities or delay training camp. On Sunday, the Portland Trail Blazers announced that three members in their organization tested positive for the disease, forcing them to deep clean their facilities and send everyone home. Additionally, the Raptors also reported having three COVID-19 positive cases, but via contact tracing found that there was no additional spread.
It is not clear whether Wiseman and Green will be able to suit up in time for the Warriors’ first preseason game against the Denver Nuggets scheduled on Saturday. This may cause another setback for a team that suffered a major blow after All-Star guard Klay Thompson tore his right Achilles last month, which will require him to miss the entire upcoming season.
Kerr said that although Wiseman will be at a disadvantage out the gates because of the positive COVID-19 test, he is still watching tape and talking to coaches to prepare for his first NBA season.
For the NBA, this is only a glimpse at the season that lies ahead of them. It is unlikely that this will be the last time a team has to deal with shortened or altered rosters due to positive coronavirus tests. The league has laid out health and safety guidelines to try and curb the spread of the virus, but without the existence of a bubble, there will always be a risk.
