Okay so the CBA expires July and if memory serves me correctly; we cannot negotiate or sign any deals until the new CBA is in effect. So I have some questions. 1.) If there is truly a lock out, then how can teams get new players? Do they have to wait until the new CBA is locked in? 2.) If this is true, then what happens to the free agents? I mean are they unemployed until the lock out is finished? 3.) If #2 is true, then isn't there a deadline for free-agents to sign with teams? Regardless, this "lock-out" can really hurt teams and players. How can players find new teams and how can teams rebuild or sign? Seems like there may be some serious scrambling in October and November.
Mags, if the CBA expires and a lockout is "allowed" then teams can do nothing. Some trades can be done now under the current CBA rules, the draft takes place before the current CBA expires -so trades can be done then as well, Then everything likely stops and the huge question is what happens with the NFL lockout attempt which the initial judge overturned, this IMO will likely serve as a guideline for whether the NBA players choose to decertify their players union like the NFL did and then sues to block the NBA for locking them out. So much is up in the air no one really has a good idea what might happen - follow the NFL situation as the owners are appealing the initial judges ruling - it's a fukkin mess.
As Blazinaway said the NFL situation will likely set a precident. During the '98 lockout free agents were unemployed and couldn't sign any deals until the new CBA was agreed to. Once a new deal was agreed to and the lockout ended there was a brief free agent signing period where all new contracts were signed. Obviously free agents could play over sees, but I believe if there is a lockout and players arn't being paid guys under contract (like Rudy) can even go play oversees.
Yeah seems like a fucked situation for everyone. It's funny how the player's union actually could create more harm than good. I don't think the owners would ask for too much, but you never really know what goes on behind the scenes. Whatever the case, I sure hope it pans out sooner than later. I'm still waiting for the season I can actually see Oden play. (sigh)
one day the players will be rich enough to just start their own league, then skynet will become self aware
I don't think the NFL ruling will apply to the NBA lockout. If I understand the ruling correctly, the NFL owners lost mainly because they were making a profit and by locking the players out were keeping the players from earning a living. Well, the NBA owners will say they can't stand in business under the current system, which is an argument the NFL owners couldn't make.
