There wasn't much information coming out of yesterday's CBA negotiations. But in a way, that was the best news we've heard all summer.
NBPA president Derek Fisher was the first to emerge from the six-hour meeting, held at a hotel in midtown Manhattan, but was unwilling to discuss specifics, saying only that the union's fundamental position hasn't changed and that both sides had agreed to stop sniping at each other in the press. David Stern was equally tight-lipped, saying only that the league hasn't set any specific deadlines, and that there is time to reach a deal before the 2011-12 season is impacted.
Contrast that with the aftermath of the last meeting, back on August 1; Stern left those talks saying the players were not bargaining in good faith, and followed up that accusation with a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board and a Federal lawsuit.
Compared to all that, "we're going to keep talking" sounds positively chummy.
How much time to they really have to settle things before the season takes a hit? That's hard to say. September 15th has been floated as the last day to reach an agreement before training camps - which usually begin in early October - and preseason games are affected. Clearly, it will take some time for teams to ramp up after being shuttered for two months and counting. No free agents or draft picks have been signed, and several teams will emerge from the lockout with multiple openings on their rosters.
My guess: the sides have until the end of September to reach a deal without impacting the regular season.
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