The Toronto Raptors haven't announced where they'll play their home games during the rapidly approaching 2020-21 NBA season, but team president Masai Ujiri acknowledged Friday that "public health is the priority" as the organization makes plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We hope, very much, that our new normal will be here in Toronto," Ujiri wrote for the Toronto Star. "We hope to play next season in Scotiabank Arena, even if our fans can't join us in person.
"And, of course, we want to do this safely, smartly, and responsibly. We wouldn't even suggest doing it any other way. Public health is the priority. Period."
As Canada steadily approaches 300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 - with 10,828 resultant deaths to date, according to the federal government - navigating the Canada-U.S. border has become ever more challenging. Presently, healthy travelers entering Canada are required to quarantine for 14 days.
Should travel between the U.S. and Canada's lone NBA market continue to prove untenable due to border restrictions and quarantine measures, the Raptors will be forced to find a temporary home down south.
The cities of Louisville, Kansas City, Nashville, Newark, and Tampa Bay have all either been linked to the Raptors as potential hosts or have made public overtures to the team. Tampa Bay is reportedly the front-runner if the Raptors must play their home slate stateside.
Ujiri thanked the cities that have offered to host the 2019 NBA champions but reiterated his desire to have the Raptors play in Canada. He added that the organization has submitted proposals for safely accomplishing the endeavor to various levels of government.
"The onus is on us to figure out a solution that everyone feels will protect Canadians, our players and staff, and their families and neighbours," Ujiri wrote. "None of us wants to put anyone we care for at risk.
"We have to look out for everyone's health - I am committed to that, and that is what we are doing."