Rumors

The players association, although, according to sources, philosophically opposed to the 65-game rule, reluctantly agreed to it during the 2023 bargaining process. But given everything that’s transpired this season, the union intends to push for reforms, possibly even before the current CBA expires in 2030.

The Ringer

“He’s not (healthy),” Rivers said when asked about the NBPA’s assertion that Antetokounmpo is healthy and not being allowed to play so the Bucks can improve their NBA Draft lottery positioning by tanking. “He’s progressing. He’s just not healthy.”

New York Times

Sam Amick: NBPA statement on Cade Cunningham - and others - being ineligible for awards this season… “Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and yet another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries. Since its implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota.”

Twitter

Shams Charania: Statement from the National Basketball Players Association on the Milwaukee Bucks' desires to shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo, who wants to play:

Twitter

“I want to talk about CJ McCollum,” Iguodala said. “He’s been getting a lot of flack for the second apron and I always ask guys, what would you want CJ to do differently? Because we know what lockouts are like, and we don’t want guys to lose money. We reach out to guys all the time, and what do guys say? I’m busy, I don’t want no extra work.” That frustration then built as Iguodala turned to younger voices. “When I talk to other guys, like we need you at these meetings. ‘I want to play Call Of Duty, I want to go out.’ Mikal… that’s my young boy. I’m like, ‘Mikal dog, if you’re one of the smart players in the league, him too (Josh Hart), we need y’all.’”

Clutch Points

The decision on expansion rests solely with the board of governors and will require approval from 23 of the 30 existing owners to move forward. While the National Basketball Players Association has a say in many matters -- for example, potentially making the schedule shorter -- adding teams is not one of them. That said, the idea of adding another 30 roster spots (36 including two-way contracts) is one the union would be very much in favor of, sources said.

ESPN

The NBA’s position, affirmed by a league source with knowledge of the years-long negotiations between the NBA and the players, is that the league shouldn’t have to provide recognition payments to more players who primarily played in the ABA, yet who also get NBA pensions. The 2022 agreement covered players who either had three or more years’ service time in the ABA, or who’d played at least three combined years in the ABA and NBA but didn’t get a vested pension from the NBA. The league, the source said, believes that the 2022 agreement sufficiently addresses the issue of giving financial assistance to players who, in the NBA’s view, got most of their recognition from playing in the rival ABA. The NBA, while appreciative of the ABA’s impact on its own league — most notably, of course, the 3-point shot — and understanding that great basketball and great players everywhere benefit the game, doesn’t think it has to do more financially for ABA-centric players such as Hillman and Jones.

New York Times

While Erving and Barry and many of the other 23 are doing okay, Tarter estimates that more than half of the remaining players still need financial assistance. And they are proud men. CJ McCollum empathizes with all of the former ABA players. “One day, we’re going to be on the other side,” he said. “You play this game, and then you’re on the other side of the game.”

New York Times

NBPA: Congratulations to former NBPA President, @CP3 on your retirement!

x.com

The National Basketball Players Association has elected David Kelly as its next executive director, the union announced Friday. Kelly, who joined the NBPA as managing director and general counsel in February 2025, will succeed Andre Iguodala, who is stepping down as executive director at the end of his term in July.

New York Times

Kelly came to the NBPA from the Golden State Warriors, where he worked on the business and legal side. “I am honored that the players have trusted me to lead this next chapter alongside our dedicated Executive Committee,” Kelly said in the NBPA statement. “The energy and momentum Andre has built has created an incredible opportunity for our players.”

New York Times

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) held its annual Board of Player Representatives Winter Meeting earlier today, electing Santi Aldama and Trey Murphy III as the newest Vice Presidents on its Executive Committee. Effective immediately, they will take over for Jaren Jackson Jr. and Donovan Mitchell, whose three-year terms have concluded. As part of the NBPA Executive Committee, Aldama and Murphy will help spearhead strategic planning, business affairs and key initiatives to carry out the NBPA’s work on behalf of all players. “I am excited to join the Executive Committee and get to work on the issues that impact NBA players daily,” said Santi Aldama. “My goal is to ensure every player feels supported and that we keep building on the strength and unity of this brotherhood.”

NBPA

“Stepping into this role is a great opportunity to support the players and set up the next generation for success,” said Trey Murphy III. “I look forward to learning from the other guys in the room and contributing to the continued growth of our union.” Murphy has risen from the 17th overall pick in the 2021 Draft to become a dynamic starter for the New Orleans Pelicans. The five-year veteran is deeply invested in empowering his Durham, North Carolina community, actively organizing free resources and training for local families through his annual Basketball Skills Development Clinic and Back-to-School Community Bash.

NBPA

Hunter was removed by the NBPA for a variety of reasons, which included nepotism. And he claims that Fisher and Kobe Bryant were negotiating CBA deals with Stern personally, a claim Fisher denies. But 15 years later, the league having grown exponentially financially with many earning generational wealth, the legacy of Hunter could be viewed differently. He said he doesn’t care about legacies, but he told the Globe he negotiated arduously for his players and foresaw the league’s growth. “I hear from players from time to time,” Hunter told the Globe. “They call me. I was up at Harvard [for a basketball event] and a guy came over with me and said, ‘You’re the Black man that created more Black millionaires than anybody else in the history of the country.’ And I just kind of chuckled. I said, ‘Yeah, I guess,’ you know. “And so I’ve gotten that from time to time from people — people who kind of understand the game, understand the economics of the game, and said that, you know, I should be credited for all the millionaires, black millionaires, I created.”

Boston Globe