With less than three weeks before training camp begins, Covid-19 has struck the New York Knicks.
Three employees of the Knicks organization tested positive for the coronavirus, the team’s PR announced on Tuesday evening. The Knicks added they are all asymptomatic and are now under quarantine.
To avoid a further outbreak, the Madison Square Garden Training Center has been temporarily shut down for thorough cleaning. The training facility was earlier opened for voluntary workouts.
Statement from the New York Knicks pic.twitter.com/rtp0xnNDpr
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) November 11, 2020
The training facility is expected to be ready when training camp opens on Dec. 1.
The latest outbreak is one of the hurdles the league will have to face next season, scheduled for tip-off on Dec. 22. The NBA has been Covid-free during its entire run in the Orlando Bubble. It will be interesting to see how they will navigate next season without the protection of a bubble.
The outbreak within the Knicks organization came at a time when they are expected to have a busy week starting with the transaction window three days before the virtual Draft Day on Nov. 18.
The Knicks have several players on team options (Bobby Portis and Theo Pinson) and non-guaranteed deals (Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington, Elfrid Payton, and Reggie Bullock).
They can create as much as $42 million on cap space to spend on free agency, which begins 48 hours after the draft.
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