Living in a world with coronavirus, NBA players are contracting coronavirus. The league has ramped up testing in advance of resuming at Disney World, with several players testing positive:
- Nuggets star Nikola Jokic
- Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon
- Kings guard Buddy Hield
- Kings forward Jabari Parker
- Kings center Alex Len
- Two Suns
Add Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. to the list.
Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald:Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. tested positive for COVID-19, a league source told the Miami Herald.
Jones, 23, has been asymptomatic and still expects to participate in the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. He was tested Tuesday, when mandatory COVID-19 testing for NBA players and staff began to be issued on a regular basis.
Hopefully, Jones recovers as quickly as he desires.
The reigning dunk-contest champion, Jones is a helpful member of Miami’s rotation. He’d be a notable loss for a team with a chance to make a deep playoff run.
At least the Heat loaded up at forward just before the trade deadline, acquiring Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill.
Jones faces far more uncertainty. Approaching unrestricted free agency this offseason, the undrafted player has a chance at his first relatively lucrative contract.