Skip to content

Green expects LeBron to miss 1st month if season begins on Dec. 22

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green doesn't expect many of his teammates to be ready for opening night, including LeBron James, if the NBA begins its 2020-21 campaign on Dec. 22.

"I think most guys - if they say we start in December - I think they're like, 'I'm not going to be there,'" Green said Monday on The Ringer NBA Show.

"To have that quick of a restart, I wouldn't expect to see (LeBron) there. I wouldn't expect to see him there for the first month of the season. He'll probably be working out with us ... but I just don't expect guys to want to be there or show up willingly."

The Lakers and Miami Heat concluded their 2019-20 campaign on Oct. 11, which translates into a two-month turnaround for both clubs.

While a December tipoff still requires approval from the players' union, Green believes it's "highly unlikely" his peers will push back on the targeted start date.

"A lot of other stars haven't played in a long time ... some guys have been out of the bubble for a while," Green said. "Some teams haven't played in a year."

The NBA has reportedly informed the Board of Governors that a Dec. 22 start could lead to more than $500 million in additional revenue.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox