Returning to the court for a modified postseason in late July could mean the NBA Finals extend all the way to mid-October, ESPN reported.

With its season derailed by the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA is finalizing a proposal to resume the 2019-2020 season paused on March 11, and those plans include ending the NBA Finals on Oct. 12, according to ESPN.

A 22-team playoff model is part of a proposal expected to be presented by commissioner Adam Silver to the league on Thursday.

During a Board of Governors call last week, Silver and owners discussed a possible play-in round of the postseason to finalize the top eight seeds in each conference.

The traditional best-of-seven series format would follow with the No. 8 seed in the West playing the No. 1 seed.

However, ESPN reported Silver remains open to input and ideas on all aspects of the return-to-play plan.

The NBA typically opens each regular season in late October. The 2019-20 campaign began Oct. 22.

—Field Level Media