D-league but no union?

[HartfordWhalers]

With games slated for late November, this raises so many questions:

Were the dleaguers not covered by the nba union? Did they have their own union?

Because the dleague has a salary cap, max salary (I believe), draft etc. Without an nba union, is the dleague also potentially liable for damages, or is it an example of an uncontested case of a unilateral imposition of those lab or practices?

To the extent that there is no pro-league in he US outside of the dleague atm, what would happen if a legit nba player with an existing nba contract tried out for the league? Would they be able to then sue the dleague, or be refused a roster spot, or would it be just like when a standard dleaguer applies?

I'm having trouble seeing how the system can simultaneously exist unchallenged and not locked out, with the nba system the subject of numerous lawsuits.

Any insight?

[SO_MONEY]

I don't follow the D-league, but my guess is the league itself owns player rights not the teams themselves. This would make it possible to implement these practices without liability, whereas the NBA wouldn't necessarily have protection from litigation as there could be a case for collusion.