Silver: Upcoming NBA season 'unlikely' to stop because of Olympics

NBA commissioner Adam Silver believes it's "unlikely" the upcoming NBA season will be put on hold for the Tokyo Olympics next summer.

"We'll consider it. I think it's unlikely, at the end of the day, that, if we start late, we would stop for the Olympics," Silver said Friday, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "Because, as you know, it's not just a function of stopping for the period in which they are competing over in Tokyo. But they require training camp, and then they require rest afterwards."

Silver said the start of next season isn't likely to begin until at least January 2021. The Tokyo Olympics, which were initially postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, are currently slated to run from July 23 to August 8.

The commissioner added that though the United States would still be able to compile an elite roster given the overwhelming talent stateside, he's concerned international squads may suffer if the league doesn't halt play for the Olympics.

"I am a bit worried about some of the international teams, because, as you know, some of their stars play in our league, and their absence would make a huge difference for those national teams," Silver said.