Report: Thunder owner urges NBA to include all small-market teams in restart

Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett urged the NBA Board of Governors last week to consider the plights of small-market teams currently outside the playoffs when it comes time to restart the 2019-20 season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.

The league is considering the likelihood of 20 to 22 of 30 NBA teams reporting to a campus environment at a Disney property near Orlando in order to finish the season.

However, inequities facing smaller markets should shape the NBA's thinking, Bennett suggested. Some teams are reportedly concerned about the absence of basketball - and subsequent revenue streams - between the March 11 suspension of this season and whenever the 2020-21 campaign begins.

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris "enthusiastically" backed Bennett's call, according to Wojnarowski and Lowe.

While the Thunder currently sit fifth in the Western Conference, other markets that can be categorized as small include current non-playoff teams such as the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs.

One report suggested the NBA wants to make sure the Pelicans are involved in any play-in arrangement due to the presence of Zion Williamson.

However, Silver reportedly reminded those on the conference call that there are some franchises and players less invested in the risks and rewards of several weeks of training camp and quarantine to play out regular-season games.

A three-fourths majority of all 30 teams is required for any plan's passage, but owners reportedly expect unanimous support for whatever form the NBA's final proposal takes. A vote is scheduled for Thursday.