Mikhail Prokhorov backed away from his claim that the NBA had given him permission to make the Brooklyn Nets a Russian-based company without admitting that he had ever made it.

His company, Onexim Sports and Entertainment, issued a statement that described how during preliminary discussions with the NBA in the spring of 2013, the league “indicated its willingness to work with us in the event we need to re-register the ownership vehicle of the Nets as a Russian entity to comply with the Russian law regarding candidates for political office.”

The statement added, “This is a long process which may or may not come to fruition, and nothing is imminent.”

Making the Nets a Russian company might help Prokhorov’s political prospects.

The NBA could have a work stoppage after the 16-17 season, which could see either the owners or union exercise its opt-out on the current collective bargaining agreement that was agreed upon in 2011.

Several league executives and agents already believe the groundwork is being laid for another prolonged work stoppage.

“Ideally, whether labor or management, you begin work on the next negotiation the day after you sign the last agreement,” said Charles Grantham, who worked for the union from 1978 until 1995. “For the players, they have not been able to do that. They still need to find a director, and once they have one, they need to assemble a team and work on a strategy. They’re way behind.”

The union still does not have an executive director to replace Billy Hunter.