Nets' Jordan out for restart after he, Dinwiddie test positive for COVID-19
Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan announced Monday that he won't be in Orlando for the NBA's restart after testing confirmed he has COVID-19.
Found out last night and confirmed again today that I’ve tested positive for Covid while being back in market. As a result of this, I will not be in Orlando for the resumption of the season.
— DeAndre Jordan (@DeAndre) June 30, 2020
The veteran big man has opted out of participating and Brooklyn will sign a substitute player to fill his roster spot, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Jordan's teammate Spencer Dinwiddie, who tested positive earlier Monday and is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, is strongly considering following suit, according to Wojnarowski.
"Over the past few months, I have been diligent about protecting myself and others from COVID-19 by following all designated protocol and quarantining," Dinwiddie told The Athletic's Shams Charania. "I was ready and prepared to rejoin my teammates as we were to be an early entry team in the resumed season. I flew private to return to New York, passed multiple COVID-19 tests over my first several days in New York, and was able to participate in a couple practices within the first week.
"Originally, we were supposed to be one of the teams to enter into the Orlando bubble early, but training camp got switched back to New York and unfortunately I am now positive. Given that I have experienced symptoms, including fever and chest tightness, it is unclear on whether or not I'll be able to participate in Orlando."
Dinwiddie said he will self-quarantine and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The 2014 second-round pick was expected to play a large role for the Nets with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both out of action due to injury. Dinwiddie was having a breakthrough campaign prior to the suspension of the season, averaging career highs in points (20.6), assists (6.8), and rebounds (3.5) per game.
Jordan, meanwhile, was averaging 8.3 points and 10 boards primarily in a reserve role.
Brooklyn will also be without forwards Wilson Chandler and Nicolas Claxton. Teams have until July 1 to finalize their roster for Orlando.
On Friday, the NBA announced that 16 of 302 players participating in the NBA's restart tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Alex Len and Jabari Parker of the Sacramento Kings confirmed they received positive test results, as did Indiana Pacers star Malcolm Brogdon.
Kings guard Buddy Hield, Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones, Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, and two unnamed Phoenix Suns players reportedly also tested positive.