Cavs' Larry Nance: Players with preexisting conditions shouldn't have to play

Last week, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance explained his reasons for why he wants to see the 2019-20 NBA season completed amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Nance may, however, be a spectator if play resumes during the summer months. 

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Nance, who has a weakened immune system due to Crohn's disease, wants the Association to respect the wishes of athletes who don't desire to play during the uncontrolled virus outbreak:

"I would hope there would be an understanding [from the league] if someone didn't feel comfortable coming back that'd you get a pass," Nance said. "Just because you may look like the picture of health, some people have issues you can't see."

Nance also admitted that even though he and other professional athletes are in top-tier physical condition, "I'm still scared and don't want to get (coronavirus)."

Nance's words echo comments made by Boston Red Sox pitcher Collin McHugh earlier this month:

"You can’t tell a guy you have to come play or else your roster spot is not going to be here when you come back. You can’t tell a guy to risk his life and the life of his family and the lives of anyone he chooses to be around to come play this game."

As Windhorst wrote, Nance and a handful of other Cleveland teammates recently returned to the club's practice facility, but there remains no protocol for the resumption of the campaign that came to a halt on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus.

Neither the NBA nor the National Basketball Players Association has announced an agreement for the completion of the 2019-20 season or the start of the subsequent campaign.