The promise of a new collective bargaining agreement hovers over each NBA city this season. Owners of small-market franchises look up and see the next CBA as a portent of hope that will enable them to turn a profit and compete for the championship. But agents and team executives alike look up and see the makings of a storm that could wipe out next season entirely, if the owners choose to lock out the players in July. And no one is certain of the new financial rules that will be installed after this season, which makes long-term planning almost impossible. The horizon has been diminished because no one can see beyond this summer. No one can say what will happen. Ted Leonsis, the new owner of the Washington Wizards, recently predicted that ongoing negotiations with the players will result in a hard cap on salaries. Commissioner David Stern responded by fining Leonsis $100,000 for breaking the owners' embargo on public comment about the next CBA. But while some scoffed, many agreed with Leonsis' analysis. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/10/11/cba.primer/index.html#ixzz12BJzK5wH
