‘Push Back’ By Teams Against Stars More Likely Than CBA Changes To Address Player Empowerment

The NBA is entering another round of collective bargaining talks, which could involve discussions of how the player empowerment era has impacted teams and players.

But what could be a more likely scenario than rule changes is the ownership side changing how they conduct their business and how much power they’re willing to freely give to players. 

The Brooklyn Nets gave Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving tremendous power when they signed with the franchise in 2019, but that power was largely revoked this offseason. Other franchises may be following suit.

“There is the beginning of push back by teams,” said Brian Windhorst on ESPN Daily. “Definitely in Brooklyn. Definitely in Utah. And they are going to be out stars because of it. And we are heading to a collective bargaining negotiation that’s going to take place over the summer. There’s been an assumption that the owners are going to push for massive changes; I haven’t heard that from any of the actual people on the ownership side.

“We do have Adam Silver on record saying players have to honor their contracts. And we do see two organizations shoving back on their stars, potentially to the detriment to their championship hopes.

“And we’re monitoring the Lakers. We’re monitoring the Lakers.”

“Brian, what you’re telling me is something is happening in Los Angeles,” replied Pablo Torre. 

Windhorst goes on to allude to how LeBron James is pushing for the Lakers to trade for Kyrie Irving, and there could be consequences should a deal not be executed. 

“Definitely Brooklyn, definitely Utah, and we have the L.A. Lakers on the watch list for pushing back on players guiding so much of what’s going on,” said Windhorst.