The Los Angeles Times learned that league officials notified the National Basketball Players Association about a week ago that a lockout would begin Monday. But the pact was to be finalized and announced at a joint news conference in New York on Thursday, making the lockout plan a moot point.
Charles Grantham, executive director of the players association, declined comment. Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said he was hopeful for an agreement before the season begins, but would not comment further.
Meanwhile, the union will continue to press forward with two lawsuits over the salary cap, the college draft and free agency, contrary to reports that those would have to be dropped before the league would agree to the no-strike/no-lockout agreement.
Detente in the NBA comes as professional basketball continues to avoid the labor problems that have beset other sports. Baseball players have been on strike since Aug. 12, the seventh work stoppage since 1972, and the National Hockey League suffered its second halt in play in three years Oct. 1.
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