An informal poll taken by the National Basketball Players Association showed "overwhelming'' support for any plan that has this season resuming in a safe way amid the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press reported.
NBPA regional representatives, including Tim McCormick and Frank Brickowski, were among the union officials polling players with a yes or no question about their desire to return to play this season, sources told ESPN.
Those officials told players that their individual responses and identities would be kept confidential within the NBPA, sources said.
The poll gave a clear sense that players would like to not only get to the playoffs, but also resume at least some of the regular season, a person familiar with the results of the poll told the AP.
The exact results of the poll were unknown, and the methodology behind the poll -- including how many players participated -- was unclear.
NBPA executive director Michele Roberts, executive committee members, including president Chris Paul, and rank-and-file players held a conference call Friday that featured commissioner Adam Silver answering questions on a number of topics related to resuming play this season, including issues of health, finances and competitive structure, sources said.
Silver told players that no decision needed to be made in the month of May and that a one- or two-site setup for teams was among the most likely scenarios, possibly in Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, according to audio of the call reviewed by ESPN.
The union and NBA agreed on a deal that would begin with Friday's bimonthly paychecks to withhold 25% of player salaries in the event that games are formally canceled under the league's Force Majeure provision in the collective bargaining agreement.
The NBA suspended play on March 11.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.