Report: NBA to raise credit line to $1.2B, hopeful of restarting play before July

The NBA plans to raise its line of credit to $1.2 billion, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, in order to increase cash flow during the COVID-19 shutdown. The league reportedly discussed the matter on a conference call with its Board of Governors on Tuesday.

The league's previous credit line was $650 million, according to Wojnarowski.

Former U.S. surgeon general Vivek Murthy was also part of Tuesday's call, sources told Wojnarowski. Murthy reportedly echoed other health organizations in terms of evaluating the global pandemic's potential impact, but he left owners hopeful of restarting the season and/or playoffs before July.

It was reported Sunday that teams were targeting a return to action in mid-to-late June as a best-case scenario.

Various contingency plans are being considered by the league for when games return, including limiting the amount of regular-season contests, as well as decreasing the length of early playoff series from best-of-seven to best-of-five, Wojnarowski adds.