NEW YORK (AP) - NBA players declined to present a new economic proposal to owners Friday, less than a week before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.
Dressed in matching T-shirts urging solidarity, about 40 players attended Friday's negotiating session, the final one before owners could vote on whether to lock them out if no deal is reached.
Owners had hoped for another proposal from the union, but players felt they had gone far enough after they offered a $500 million reduction in salaries over five years on Tuesday, a move Commissioner David Stern termed "modest."
"Why did we not make one? Because we felt that the one that we made previously was sufficient," players' association executive director Billy Hunter said.
The owners will meet Tuesday in Dallas. The sides could then meet at least one more time before the CBA expires June 30.
Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver offered few details of the four-hour session, nor would they speculate on what actions they would take Tuesday when the Board of Governors meets. Silver said it would be "premature to talk about where we're going to find ourselves next week."
With many in town for the players' representative meetings, Hunter said he was told Thursday night the players had decided to go to Friday's session. He said the players were sending a message of "solidarity" by attending the meeting and wearing shirts reading "STAND."
"We have to stand together, we have to be unified and be prepared to address whatever the circumstance is, but address it together," he said, referring to the players' intentions.
Celtics All-Stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were among the players who joined the executive committee and both spoke in the meeting. Stern said the shirts were "nicely done," adding it "great to have so many players in the room."
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