Silver optimistic about agreement with players

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league and players have made “tremendous progress” toward an extension of the collective bargaining agreement, saying he hoped a deal would be completed soon.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday the league and players have made “tremendous progress” toward an extension of the collective bargaining agreement, saying he hoped a deal would be completed soon. Silver said the process was far different than the contentious negotiations of 2011, which led to a lockout and a 2011-12 season that was shorted to 66 games. This time, the sides have been meeting for a few months and seem eager to make a deal long before Dec. 15, when either side can notify the other of its intention to opt out of the 10-year pact. “We are not done, done as we say as bargainers in terms of ultimately having a completed collective bargaining agreement, but we’re on our way towards getting an extension done of this collective bargaining agreement,” Silver said. “I’m very pleased to report that.”