The NBA and the players union announced a six-year collective bargaining agreement last month but pushed back the date when free agents could start signing, from July 14 to July 22 as they worked out details.

Spokesmen for both sides say they remain committed to finalizing a contract by Friday, but it's not certain. Talk around the league is that the contract might not be completed until Aug. 1 in order to give both sides more time, thus delaying when teams can sign free agents.

An NBA and players union spokesman said they are still hoping to get the CBA done this week.

"That goal hasn't changed," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Tuesday.

Said players union spokesman Dan Wasserman: "We're making progress toward completing the agreement. The goal by both sides is to complete everything by (Friday)."