The potential return of the NBA is coming into focus.
It appears the league will return around July 31 in Orlando with 22 teams being part of the resumption.
According to ESPN, the league has been working towards a plan would include regular-season, play-in and playoff games for the 16 teams currently holding a playoff position and six more teams within six games of the eighth seed in each conference.
The report also includes the last possible date for a Finals Game 7 landing on Oct. 12.
This will take the resumption well into the fall. The NBA draft and free agency would then come later in the month.
The NBA's board of governors reportedly could vote on everything Thursday. In order to pass, it needs three-fourths majority, but that is expected to happen.
Update: According to NBA insider Shams Charania, sources revealed the plans behind Silver's proposed play-in tournament. If the eighth and ninth seeds are separated by four games or less, the two teams will engage in a play-in tournament. The ninth seed has a tougher road, as the tournament is single-elimination for the lesser team, and double-elimination for the eighth seed. However, if the eighth seed is ahead by more than four games, it makes the playoffs without a tournament.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski explained that teams will have a chance to even up the standings before the play-in tournaments or playoffs get underway.
A 22-team return would effectively eliminate teams like the Bulls and the Hawks, while Woj notes that the Pelicans, Blazers, Suns, Kings, Spurs and Wizards would join the 16 current playoff teams.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram