In the Event of a Season-long Lockout

Neon Black · Post #1 » by **Neon Black** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:29 am

Word has been floating around that NBA owners are willing to abrogate the 2011-2012 season entirely in order to amend the current CBA.

If that happens, what happens to the 2012 draft? Seems like they'd be forced not to have one; in which case next years' pro prospects would enter the draft in 2013.

That would be an incredibly loaded draft. Essentially picks 1-30 could consist of lottery-quality players. Our pick from GS, as well as our own, would be incredibly valuable.

I'm sure I'm missing something. Are there even procedures in place for this kind of thing?

Post #2 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:40 am

i don't thin there would be a lotto, would there?

gojazzmjsucks · Post #3 » by **gojazzmjsucks** » Fri May 27, 2011 2:06 am

I say keep the same draft order!

Post #4 » by **StocktonShorts** » Fri May 27, 2011 2:46 am

Neon Black wrote:I'm sure I'm missing something. Are there even procedures in place for this kind of thing?

No, they'd have to come up with something.

I don't think it's likely though. Players won't last that long. Those guys hemorrhage cash. I'll bet 40% of them live paycheck to paycheck even on the crazy money they make.

retiredcoach · Post #5 » by **retiredcoach** » Fri May 27, 2011 3:10 am

1. Stern has already said there are no rules, agreements or provisions currently in place for the draft the year following a total shutdown for a full season.

2. Without a contract, nothing can be decided about future drafts.

3. Legally the draft order would have to be the same in 2012 as in 2011 unless every team agreed to a change in the draft order. Without a change in the season standings, then the draft order can't be changed except by agreement of every team without causing possible harm to a team that got a lessor choice due to the changes. If the team that was hurt went to court, they would likely win.

4. The one question that appears to be somewhat open for discussion is lottery portion. They may have a redrawing of the lottery positions for the 2012 draft but that would probably have to be my mutual agreement also or it would be challenged in court. The safest choice is to leave everything exactly the way was in 2011.

5. Contracts would not be extended. So if a player was to be a free agent in 2012, they would be one despite the loss of the 2011 season.

6. Trades would be honored, but it gets complicated if a player was traded that only had a year left on their contract.

7. Regardless of what they do, there will be litigation because every possible combination hurts someone, a team, a player or the league.

A season long lockout would be a nightmare and both sides know it. The owners aren't circulating a rumor. The NBA owners have said as recently as two days ago they intend to go forward with a season long lockout without concessions from players that return the teams to profitable status.

Most likely case is a short lockout with a loss of the preseason and possibly 10 or 15 games. The NBA players association have fewer legal challenges that are likely to be effective because unlike the NFL, the NBA teams are unprofitable, so the court is going to look hard at any demands the players make that put the league at farther financial risk.

Both sides are too far in to not take it to the brink or beyond. The wild card is the NFL. If it settles it's labor agreement without a lockout, then the NBA players association will have a lot of public pressure on it to make concessions because of the financial health of the NBA compared to the NFL.

One thing is for sure. No one wins with a lockout.

Post #6 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Fri May 27, 2011 3:19 am

A 10-15 game lockout means the Jazz will be terrible and keep their pick in a good draft, and GSW will be ok because they have a system that relies on ability rather than chemistry.

HammerDunk · Post #7 » by **HammerDunk** » Fri May 27, 2011 3:47 am

If coach is right, then it would benefit the Jazz greatly to have next year never happen. 3rd pick in the next draft, whoeee!!! Unless they would change it back to pre-lotto draft order, but #6 would still be good in that class.

Dozer! · Post #8 » by **Dozer!** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:04 am

I don't think we would get the Nets pick again, so the 3rd would be New Jerseys pick.

retiredcoach · Post #9 » by **retiredcoach** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:24 am

by Dozer! on Thu May 26, 2011 8:04 pm
I don't think we would get the Nets pick again, so the 3rd would be New Jerseys pick.

Dozer is probably right. If the whole 2011 season were lost, the original order of the draft would probably be in place, and the Jazz would only get the 12th pick.

Cleveland and Minnesota would only get one pick each. That would almost force a redraw on the lottery balls.

Messy!

The cost of a season long lockout is too high even for the owners to stomach. It would be too costly to rebuild the fan base, so they'll be a lot of bluster and few missed games. Hopefully not more than a few.

HammerDunk · Post #10 » by **HammerDunk** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:02 am

Good point. Nevermind then. Sometimes it's good to be in the middle of a rebuild...

carrottop12 · Post #11 » by **carrottop12** » Fri May 27, 2011 6:16 am

I really hope there isn't a full year lock out. The last thing I want is Favors, and our draft picks this year to miss out on an entire season of development.

I doubt there will be though, I think it will get figured out before 2012.

Getjazz · Post #12 » by **Getjazz** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:43 pm

Jazz would end up with the 11 and 12 picks. With a great chance of moving up!!! This could work out great!!