The road to the season’s July 31 return has been long and rocky, and it will remain that way due to the pandemic. There’s simply a long list of moving parts from every aspect – the teams, the venue, the league office, the guidelines, the medical team, etc.

What’s continuously encouraging, however, is that the big majority is working hard to rightfully finish the season. The latest includes the results of the first COVID-19 tests, conclusion of the transaction window, and the teams’ submission of their final rosters for the 2019-20 season. Those are the pre-requisites for the training camp, which will start on July 10th (Manila time).

Let’s first take a glance at the players who have chosen to sit out the remainder of the season:

OPT OUTS

Players who are already on the injured report, such as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, are excluded.

Trevor Ariza – Portland Trail Blazers
Davis Bertans – Washington Wizards
Avery Bradley – Los Angeles Lakers
Willie Cauley-Stein – Dallas Mavericks
Wilson Chandler – Brooklyn Nets
DeMarcus Cousins – Free agent
DeAndre Jordan – Brooklyn Nets
Thabo Sefolosha – Houston Rockets

Bradley is arguably the most notable name in the list. He’s a relied upon starter, and the Lakers will miss his defensive presence in the playoffs, when they go up against elite guards, such as James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Chris Paul.

Another key name in the group is former All-Star DeAndre Jordan, whose reason is having tested positive for COVID-19. The timetable suggested that he heal in time for the season, but he understandably elected to sit out.

Dwight Howard of the Lakers and Lou Williams of the LA Clippers, who both admitted to be reluctant in playing, remained undecided as the deadline passed.

Howard is a regular fixture of the Lakers’ rotation, and has been quite the factor thanks to his valuable relief minutes for Anthony Davis. Head coach Frank Vogel is still “hopeful” the veteran big man will show up at camp.

The same goes with Williams. He’s the Clipps’ third-leading scorer behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Though not fully sure, his head coach Doc Rivers said he “expects” to see his main sparkplug off the bench play.

COVID-19 CASES

*already cleared of the virus and permitted to be with his team

Malcolm Brogdon – Indiana PacersSpencer Dinwiddie – Brooklyn Nets
*Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets (out for the season, torn achilles)
*Rudy Gobert – Utah Jazz
Buddy Hield – Sacramento Kings
Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets
Derrick Jones Jr. – Miami Heat
DeAndre Jordan – Brooklyn Nets (opted out)
Alex Len – Sacramento Kings
*Donovan Mitchell – Utah Jazz
*Jabari Parker – Sacramento Kings
*Marcus Smart – Boston Celtics
*Christian Wood – Detroit Pistons
*Head coach Michael Malone – Denver Nuggets
Three unnamed players – New Orleans Pelicans
Two unnamed players – Phoenix Suns
Two unnamed players – Los Angeles Lakers
Four unnamed players – unnamed Western Conference team
Three unnamed members – Philadelphia 76ers

All of the uncleared players were diagnosed in June, and all are now being treated or doing self-isolation. None are believed to be seriously ill, and outside Jordan, everyone whose team is part of the season’s restart, is expected to be in camp.

Parker stirred controversy earlier this week after he was seen playing tennis outdoors without a mask on. Thankfully, however, he was soon cleared of the virus. Teammates Hield and Len are doing better now as well.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

This only includes free agent signings from teams who are part of the July 31 restart. Contract extensions are also excluded.

Corey Brewer – Sacramento Kings
Tyler Zeller – San Antonio Spurs
Anthony Tolliver – Memphis Grizzlies
David Nwaba – Houston Rockets
Tyler Johnson – Brooklyn Nets
Jerian Grant – Washington Wizards
Jaylen Adams – Portland Trail Blazers
Trey Burke – Dallas Mavericks
JR Smith – Los Angeles Lakers
Ryan Broekhoff – Philadelphia 76ers

The signings are all due to certain players on the team being injured or opting out, but no one is assured of receiving significant minutes – not even Zeller or Smith, who are both brought in to fill the spots of starters – LaMarcus Aldridge and Avery Bradley, respectively.

Burke has some familiarity with the Mavs after having a stint with them last season. He’s filling Cauley-Stein’s spot, but may also fill the role of injured point guard, Jalen Brunson.

Nwaba, who’s Sefolosha’s replacement, is an interesting fit with the fast-paced Rockets. However, he’ll be clawing for minutes against a bevy of other swingman.