We have now entered week three of the NBA’s sudden hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, 10 players have been known to have contracted the virus – Utah Jazz All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, Detroit Pistons center Christian Wood, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant and his three unnamed teammates, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, and two more unnamed guys from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Other than Wood fortunately recovering from all the complications, all are still under heavy quarantine, making next month’s potential return quite bleak. NBA Commissioner is expected to announce the result of their re-evaluation in early April, and fans ought to be ready for more weeks without basketball.

For Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, however, the optimism has never wavered. In an interview with Dallas’ local TV station WFAA-TV this past Monday, Cuban offered his prediction about the league’s return to the court and gave praise to Silver’s overall handling of the situation.

“Hopefully by the middle of May, we’re starting to get back to normal and the NBA is playing games… Maybe not with fans, but we’re playing it because sports plays such an important role.”

Mark Cuban

Although Cuban’s estimate sounds too soon, it’s great to hear that an influential voice in the league is not giving in to the pandemic’s massive impact and fully cancel the season. He’s not the only one too as reports have said that other team owners and their players are constantly on the move to bring back our beloved league:

“I’m proud of Adam Silver… I mean you know no one has perfect information right now, and so all decisions are tough. But, you know, if I had to guess based off the people I’ve talked to at the CDC and other places — I would say that the over under would be June 1, and I’m taking the under.”

Mark Cuban

It’s hard to imagine the season officially ending without a champion, especially with all the action and unfinished storylines that have transpired throughout the year.

Cuban does believe in taking added precautions, though. He’s pushing for the NBA to use thermal guns for fans should the season resume with live games.

Also, everyone missing out on potential upsets, classic playoff performances, big shots, scoring duels, overtime thrillers, and finals match-up of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Giannis and Kawhi Leonard, or whoever? Appliances will get smashed, tables will be broken in half, and heads will explode. The outrage of players and fans would be chaotic and the league won’t hear the end of it, so let’s take them at their word.