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NBA and National Basketball Players Association have been in talks about a potential withholding of a percentage of players' salaries in their upcoming paycheck, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Players are expected to be paid in full in their upcoming Apr. 15 checks, but could see this withholding kick in starting with May 1 checks. The league would keep a percentage of their salaries based on the number of games canceled.
According to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, players have the leverage because the NBA won't yet invoke Force Majeure and cancel the rest of the season, but all of that could change if the regular season and the playoffs are not salvageable.
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Marks also advised what he would do if he was in the shoes of an NBA player, given that a few players could receive no paychecks moving onward.
If I was an NBA player, I would want a % of my remaining salary withheld in a second escrow account starting on 4/15. If there is a cancellation down the road of the NBA season, there is a strong likelihood that players will receive nothing. Second escrow protects players.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 9, 2020
Those who have chosen accelerated payments or others who have opted for an all-you-can-get deal (receive 90% of salary upfront by Apr. 1) could no longer receive paychecks as owners try to recoup money lost in a potential cancelation.
The NBA has explored the cancelation of the season more seriously in the past few weeks, considering the coronavirus pandemic isn't going away anytime soon. While league executives have discussed crunching part of the regular season and a reduced postseason, that scenario becomes more difficult with each day that passes without altering free agency, the NBA Draft, and the start of the 2020-21 season.
