The NBA has considered a postseason play-in tournament, but is considered highly unlikely, according to multiple league sources.

A tournament has been discussed as a way to draw interest late in the season before the start of the playoffs even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is ultimately considered too dramatic of a shift in the short term. Since the NBA already has its existing contracts with RSNs and national networks, the league feels the best use of time would be to fulfill those deals rather than introduce a new system.