NBA teams that could benefit most from a June return

The NBA’s 2019-20 season came to a screeching halt on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Commissioner Adam Silver declared the league could be back after a 30-day hiatus, but his initial prognosis now appears to be wildly optimistic. Many owners and executives around the league believe the earliest that play could resume would be mid-June given new restrictions limiting gatherings of 250 people or more.

Being without basketball for three months may sound like a life sentence to some, but many teams could benefit greatly from a lengthy layoff to overcome injuries, improve chemistry, and stop slumps. Join us now as we examine the five NBA teams with the most to gain from the league’s forced hiatus.

Utah Jazz

It’s always nice to lead the league in a statistical category, but something tells us the Jazz probably aren’t thrilled about being the only team in the NBA with multiple players infected by COVID-19. Although Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell are both faring well, the two All-Stars need time to complete their quarantine before they can return to the court. An additional cooling off period might be especially welcome for Mitchell, who is reportedly still upset with Gobert over his alarmingly causal approach to personal hygiene.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers suffered a devastating loss in early March when Malcolm Brogdon tore his left quadriceps. Many believed the injury would cost Indiana homecourt advantage in the playoffs, but it turns out those fears were premature. Brogdon is expected to bounce back by mid April and should be none the worse for wear when the NBA finally returns.

Los Angeles Lakers

It took a pandemic to do what other NBA couldn’t this season: slow down the Lakers. The league’s postponement may be bad news for fans, but it’s a curiously welcome turn of events for L.A., which has the second oldest roster in the league. The break should do wonders for LeBron James, who recently entered the top 10 in career minutes played, and Anthony Davis, who has never played more than 75 games in a season and has dealt with a laundry list of bumps and bruises this year.

Philadelphia 76ers

The NBA’s enforced “March Break” comes at a perfect time for the free-falling Sixers, who have lost five of their past 10 games and have plummeted to sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The biggest reason for Philly’s poor play has been the absence of Ben Simmons, who has been out since Feb. 24 while dealing with a pinched nerve in his lower back. The league’s postponement should allow "Big Ben" to return on his own schedule rather than rushing back and risking further injury. Who knows, maybe he'll even develop a jump shot between now and then.

Portland Trail Blazers

Few teams have endured worse luck this season than the Trail Blazers, whose frontline has been picked apart like a $5 buffet due to injuries to Jusuf Nurkic, and Zach Collins. The good news is that both players could be ready to return as early as April 12, giving them ample time to round into form before the NBA season resumes.

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