NBA 'is considering a second "bubble" away from Orlando for the eight losing clubs excluded from the 22-team restart at Disney World' as nine more players test positive for coronavirus

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The NBA's eight losing clubs that were not invited to participate in the league's 22-team season restart at Disney World in Orlando might be allowed to compete in a separate 'bubble.'

ESPN is reporting that the NBA is in deep discussions on a second bubble in Chicago, which would allow players from those eight teams to stay active while, hopefully, protecting them from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

However, a source with knowledge of the discussions told the Daily Mail that other locations are being considered and that nothing has been finalized. The eight teams could also compete at various regional sites.

A second bubble would allow the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks (pictured), Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors to hold short training camps ahead of playing games against each other. Action reportedly would be similar to a summer league

Fans on social media have already dubbed the second bubble as the 'Delete Eight,' which is a reference to the NCAA Tournament's regional semi-final, known as the 'Elite Eight.' Others liked the second bubble to a 'loser's bracket' or the National Invitation Tournament, which is offered to college teams that fail to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

The Chicago Bulls' could restart their season locally if the NBA approves a second bubble 

Any decision would need to be approved by the NBA's board of governors and the players' union (NBPA).  

While the 16 teams that are currently in playoff position and six others that are relatively close will resume action in late July at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the remaining eight teams were omitted from the plan.  

The result would have seen those eight teams go without action from March 11, when the NBA paused the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, until the start of the next season, currently scheduled to occur around December 1. 

A second bubble would allow the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors to hold short training camps ahead of playing games against each other. Action reportedly would be similar to a summer league.

Teams would gather in September, according to ESPN. The cost of the second 'bubble' reportedly would be split among all 30 teams.

On Thursday the NBA announced that another nine players had tested positive for coronavirus. In total, 25 of 351 players have tested positive since screening began on June 23. Meanwhile 10 of 884 staffers have tested positive over that same time. 

The NBA is not permitted to publicize the test results for individual players due to patient confidentiality rights.   

Knicks fans and reporters may be given a chance to resume the team's woeful season 

Also on Thursday, the Los Angeles Clippers shut down their practice facility after an unidentified person tested positive for the coronavirus, according to multiple media reports.

ESPN and the Los Angeles Times both reported that the person who tested positive is part of the group expected to travel to Florida for the restart of the NBA season. It wasn't immediately reported whether it was a player, coach or staff member who tested positive.

According to the Times, the Clippers are considering re-opening their facility for workouts on Friday. The Clippers are currently slated to travel to the Orlando area on Wednesday.

The Clippers (44-20) are slated to play the Los Angeles Lakers on July 30 on the first night of the season's reopening.    

As for the second bubble, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts and NBA commissioner Adam Silver both said it should follow the same protocols as the Orlando-area 'bubble,' with players and staffers relatively quarantined while receiving regular COVID-19 tests, per ESPN.

As for the second bubble, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts (pictured) and NBA commissioner Adam Silver both said it should follow the same protocols as the Orlando-area 'bubble,' with players and staffers relatively quarantined while receiving regular COVID-19 tests, per ESPN

The report indicated that seven of the eight affected teams discussed the idea in a Thursday call, with the New York Knicks being the only absentee.

Fans on social media have already dubbed the second bubble as the 'Delete Eight,' which is a reference to the NCAA Tournament's regional semi-final, known as the 'Elite Eight.' Others liked the second bubble to a 'loser's bracket' or the National Invitation Tournament, which is offered to college teams that fail to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. 

Pistons coach Dwane Casey maintains that most of the Delete Eight would rather have separate minicamps in light of news of multiple positive COVID-19 tests for the teams that are preparing to head to central Florida.

'We'd rather (have our own camp) than go to the bubble because unlike those teams in Orlando, we wouldn't be playing for the same reason,' Casey said, according to ESPN.

'The reason we want these minicamps is to get our team together, to have that camaraderie, to improve and enjoy some competition. We feel we can do that safely in our own environment. We can't let these guys sit around from March 11 to December without something. It's going to hurt their careers. It's too long of a layoff.'

Warriors general manager Bob Myers would be in favor of any plan that allows his players to get together.

'Our position is, 'Let us know what's possible,'' Myers said, according to ESPN. 'Until we really know, it's hard to say. If we can get the majority of our players to go. And if it's beneficial, then we'll do that. If we can't, we'll take what we can get. This whole thing is about balancing health and safety. From a team standpoint, what solutions check as many boxes as it can?

'One of the things is, you try not to judge. Everybody is right in a certain sense. Whether we pursue the opportunity to get our young players some work in some safe environment locally or in a second bubble, we're support of the pursuit. Now whether we get there or not is really a health and safety thing.'

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of three Disney properties that the NBA will inhabit