NBA and players talking; Christmas Day start is eyed

The NBA and lawyers for the NBA players are in talks to negotiate a settlement that would start the season by Christmas Day, an NBA source confirmed on Wednesday.

The talks, which began quietly Tuesday, were first reported by Yahoo Sports.

Because the National Basketball Players Association no longer exists - the players dissolved the union last week and filed an antitrust suit against the NBA - lawyers for each side must first negotiate the framework of a settlement. The union would then re-form before the next collective bargaining agreement could be officially adopted.

The two sides must agree on a handshake deal in the next few days in order to start the 2011-12 season by Dec. 25. NBA commissioner David Stern has said that approximately one month is needed, including a free-agent period and training camp, to jump-start the season.

The Christmas Day games, usually between marquee teams, launch the league's nationally televised schedule.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that if a settlement is reached in the next few days, the NBA would attempt to play a 66-game season, which would include numerous back-to-backs and an extension of the season by approximately 10 days.

The NBA would not comment about the talks, but issued a statement saying it "remains in favor of a negotiated solution."

As CBSSports.com reported Wednesday, the "starting point" of these settlement talks will be crucial. When talks broke off Nov. 14, the two sides had agreed to a 50-50 split in basketball revenue.

Has the NBA's position shifted?

Stern had said before the most recent talks broke off that if the players rejected that proposal - as the players did - subsequent proposals would be considerably worse.