Brooklyn Nets veteran Wilson Chandler has opted to sit out the NBA’s season restart, prioritising the health of his family amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The NBA has been suspended since March, but the 2019-20 campaign is scheduled to resume at the Disney World complex in Orlando, Florida next month.
Brooklyn are set to return to action against the Orlando Magic on July 31, however, Nets forward Chandler will not be involved.
“As difficult as it will be to not be with my team-mates, the health and wellbeing of my family has to come first,” Chandler told ESPN on Sunday.
“Thank you to the Nets organisation for understanding and supporting me in this decision, and I will be watching and rooting for our team in Orlando.”
The Nets were seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 30-34 record prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
Chandler, who joined the Nets at the start of the season, had been averaging 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for Brooklyn in 2019-20.
The season will officially resume on July 30, with the New Orleans Pelicans playing the Utah Jazz and LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers taking on Kawhi Leonard’s Los Angeles Clippers.