Chris Paul, Players Association advance conversation with NBA on social justice efforts

Top NBA executives met Tuesday with representatives from the National Basketball Players Association. According to an NBPA release, their goal was to "address the game's role in facilitating solutions to the persistent inequities plaguing the Black community."

Players Association president and Thunder point guard Chris Paul was joined in the meeting by NBPA executive director Michele Roberts. Several players, including former OU star Trae Young, also attended.

"The issues of systemic racism and police brutality in our country need to end," Paul said in a statement. "As a union of NBA players and as a league, it is our job to use our collective platform to both put a spotlight on those issues and work to effect change. As players, we have taken a leadership role when it comes to using our voices and implementing practical solutions, but there is much work ahead both in Orlando and long-term to continue the momentum and bring about real, longlasting change to our society."

The NBA season is set to resume July 30 at Disney World with 22 teams, including the Thunder.

The group that met Tuesday agreed that the focus of the restart in Orlando will be to combat systemic racism and promote social justice. Some players, most notably Kyrie Irving of the Nets, previously expressed concern that basketball could distract from the protests that have swept the nation since George Floyd's death.