SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Kings guard Buddy Hield seemed to be in good spirits Thursday, a day after he and two teammates revealed they tested positive for the coronavirus.
In a brief exchange with The Sacramento Bee, Hield said "I'm good" and he believes he will "be fine by Monday," but it will probably be at least two weeks before the 27-year-old sharpshooter is cleared to resume basketball activities under the NBA's COVID-19 protocols.
Hield is one of three Kings who confirmed they are in quarantine after contracting the coronavirus. Kings forward Jabari Parker and center Alex Len announced they tested positive as well.
NBA players and essential staff started undergoing coronavirus testing Tuesday as part of the NBA's plan to resume the 2019-20 season July 30 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., about 20 miles outside of Orlando. Testing and treatment protocols were presented in a 113-page health and safety manual provided to teams last week.
The testing program includes polymerase chain reaction and antibody tests. Antibody tests require a blood sample. PCR tests, which will be conducted every other day, involve oral and nasal swabs.
Any player who tests positive must refrain from exercise training for a period of two weeks from the date of the first positive test or the resolution of viral symptoms, whichever date is later. The player must remain in self-isolation until he produces two negative test results more than 24 hours apart and must undergo cardiac screening before he is allowed to resume training. Under those guidelines, any player who tests positive will be out a minimum of 14 days before he can participate in practice or games.
Parker said he tested positive sometime last week. Len said he tested positive Tuesday. Hield has not indicated when he tested positive, but he was not known to be infected before entering the team testing program Tuesday in Sacramento.
Teams are allowed to have only four players in their practice facilities at a time this week as they prepare to start training camp June 30. From July 1-9, the NBA will allow each team to bring eight players into practice facilities at a time.
Parker could be cleared for participation as soon as next week, depending upon the date of his first positive test and the resolution of any viral symptoms. Len, and presumably Hield, will return no sooner than July 7.
The Kings are one of 22 teams that will converge on Florida over a three-day period from July 7-9. The Kings are one of six teams that will vie for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs over eight seeding games and, potentially, a play-in tournament.
Players and staff will undergo increased testing once they arrive in the bubble. Any player who tests positive in Florida will be placed in isolation housing and subjected to the same protocols outlined above.
In a statement issued by the Kings on Wednesday, Parker, 25, said he is isolating in Chicago with plans to rejoin the team when he receives medical clearance.
"Several days ago I tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately self-isolated in Chicago which is where I remain," Parker said. "I am progressing in my recovery and feeling well. I look forward to joining my teammates in Orlando as we return to the court for the resumption of the NBA season."
Len, 27, disclosed his positive diagnosis Wednesday in a story post on Instagram.
"I underwent testing yesterday in Sacramento and was found to be positive for COVID-19," Len said. "I want to thank the Sacramento Kings for their great care and the NBA for putting the protocols in place to allow me to catch this early. I have immediately entered isolation and look forward to being cleared and rejoining my teammates for our playoff push."
Two local TV stations cited unnamed sources who said at least four Kings players had tested positive as of Wednesday. League sources told The Bee those reports were not accurate. There could be more positive tests in the days to come, but the Kings do not intend to provide regular updates on their testing program, citing HIPAA laws and the fluid nature of the situation.
A number of players across the league have reportedly tested positive over the past week, including Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Malcolm Brogdon of the Indiana Pacers, Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat and two unidentified members of the Phoenix Suns. The Arizona Republic reported the Suns shut down voluntary workouts at their practice facility after their players tested positive.
ESPN reported four members of an unspecified Western Conference playoff team tested positive in recent weeks. Other players known to have tested positive since the pandemic began include Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz; Kevin Durant and three unnamed teammates with the Brooklyn Nets; Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics; Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons; and two unnamed members of the Los Angeles Lakers.
