One potential side effect to the NBA possibly returning from its COVID-19 pandemic hiatus could be a heightened risk assumed by all involved.

That would be especially true for the league’s elder statesman. Not older players, but coaches and executives like San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Miami Heat President Pat Riley who are both over the age of 70. Research and studies surrounding the virus have pinpointed older people as especially at-risk.

It was a topic of conversation on The Jump recently, and Paul Pierce is hopeful the NBA’s plan to resume play, when they choose to do so, would take into account those older men.

“I think it has to be a conversation [with] the people in that category. It’s tough. But at the end of the day, guys want to go back to doing the thing they love and I’m sure all of the precautions the NBA would take, moving forward, putting everybody in a bubble, making sure tests are available, it’ll make guys who are in that bracket feel a lot safer.”

Paul, Tracy McGrady and Rachel Nichols also discussed LeBron’s MVP chances. Watch below and check out The Jump weekdays at 3 pm ET on ESPN.