In and around the NBA, there’s enthusiasm to pick up a basketball and move toward the conclusion of the 2019-20 season — a conclusion that could settle debates about the Lakers and the Clippers, about LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, about the long-term feasibility of the Philadelphia 76ers and the promise of the Boston Celtics.

Inside of front offices, there’s enthusiasm to find out what’s next - to know when the season will restart, how the league will make it work. What about the draft? What about free agency? What about the salary cap?

Players, coaches, front office personnel and employees all want answers. But conversations with people with knowledge of the NBA’s plans all point in one direction — no one knows what’s next and when “next” will happen.

That ball that everyone wants to pick up? It doesn’t even have air in it yet — the country still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s why specifics are in high demand and short supply.

“I haven’t come to a point where I have a point of like no return, or a point where, ‘OK, this is the final straw. Tell us something now,’ “ James said. “We’re just taking it day by day,”