Adam Silver said the players union is "far from accepting" a proposed reduction in salaries of approximately 33 percent.

But a source tells CBS Sports that the NBA is proposing additional means of restoring profitability to its owners, which would not require the players to take such a drastic reduction in pay.

Among these other options is the possibility of contracting whole NBA franchises, eliminating teams that operate in less attractive markets.

According to the report, league officials have communicated to the union that "significant savings could be achieved by changing the NBA's economic model without forcing the players to take such a big cut."

Besides contraction, the league is floating ideas surrounding shorter contracts and less guaranteed money.

What the league terms "modest performance standards" for players could replace the need to contract franchises or force players to accept large salary cuts.  

In other words, teams would find savings from being able to reduce or remove the salaries of players such as Eddy Curry who were signed to big deals but did not perform.

After the end of the formal media session, David Stern conceded that in general the NBA "business is good," pointing out that player salaries will rise as revenues rise.

"It's a sliding scale," the commissioner said.