In a survey of all 30 general managers, 16 said they would prefer the league come back with just the typical 16 playoff teams, with the teams and seedings based on the standings when the season was suspended March 12.
That was one of four potential return-to-play options presented, and it earned more votes than the other three options combined:
• Resume the regular season with all 30 teams followed by a play-in tournament (8 votes);
• Go straight to the playoffs with either a play-in tournament or a World Cup-style group stage (5 votes);