The NBPA has deemed the owners' current offer as unacceptable and appear prepared to accept the threatened consequences that a new, lesser offer will be bestowed.

But the union is attempting to conduct last minute negotiations with the owners before Wednesday's deadline.

Sources briefed on the thinking of the owners' labor committee, however, do not expect any compromise even though the two sides are not far apart.

"It's sad," one ownership source said. "I think they've seen their best offer."

The tax penalties and other rules for tax-paying teams, one source told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher, are where the two sides remain at complete odds.