Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr is the first player out of South Beach to test positive for coronavirus. Will there be more?
As the Miami Heat and the rest of the NBA being testing for COVID-19 ahead of the league’s quarantine finish in Orlando, Derrick Jones Jr has tested positive. Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel was first with reports on Wednesday morning.
Source: Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. tests positive for coronavirus. https://t.co/qy0JzF3OLr
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) June 25, 2020
Other notable players to have recently tested positive include Indiana Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon, Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield, and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
According to Winderman, Jones will now be required to self isolate and isn’t allowed to participate in any form of exercise or training over the next two weeks. He is noted as asymptomatic which is promising for Miami, who is scheduled to depart for Orlando on July 9th.
As it is exactly two weeks to the date, Jones may just make the the start of training camp. Players must still be without symptoms on their day of travel in order to be welcomed into the bubble.
Because as Winderman notes, he remains intent on playing. As an upcoming free agent, there’s always the opportunity to sit out the NBA’s finish in Orlando, Florida to not risk injury.
Especially considering the raise Jones is facing. He’s had a strong season with Miami behind averages of 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals nightly. If he is to sit out the rest of the year, it would be nothing short of a crushing blow to the Heat and their rotation.
As the NBA’s July 30th start date looms, keep an eye out for any more coronavirus related news from your Miami Heat, fans. This is unknown territory for basketball, and sports as a whole.