Several of the NBA's biggest stars are planning an overseas world tour.

From October 30th to November 9th, players will tour Puerto Rico, London, Macau and Australia.

Players will be paid up to $1 million and some of the money will also go to charity.

Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Amar'e Stoudemire, Chris Paul and Carlos Boozer are expected to appear.

Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett may also appear in the tour.

If the NBA is able to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement, then the tour will be canceled.

NBA management believes negotiations with the players changed when Kevin Garnett entered the negotiating room on Oct. 4.

Sources say Garnett was 'defiant, determined and downright ornery.'

As one league official said, “We were making progress, until Garnett [expletive] everything up.”

Regardless of how long the lockout lasts, it will be the players and not the owners that bring the NBA positive publicity again after the labor dispute is settled.

"We can’t have completely poisoned waters here when this is over,” one front-office executive said. “Stern gets that, but I’m not sure all of our owners do. We have to have these guys on board, or where are we as a league?”

Last October, David Stern spoke openly about the benefit the NBA was about to receive from the formation of a Miami Heat team featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"My guess," he said during a preseason media session, "is that the Heat is not going to play to too many empty seats on the road, as people want to see this team. We have had other sort of super teams -- they're called the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs. In different ages, we've had Hall of Famers that come together and teams have gathered them.

"I think that team has generated spectacular interest, and all in all it's been very good for the NBA."

During the 2011 NBA Finals, however, Stern was asked if Miami's Big 3 will be able to stay together under a new collective bargaining agreement.

"We've tried to make it more attractive for players to stay with their current team. That trend will continue if not be enhanced."

Now, the NBA is pushing for a harder salary cap, which will force teams to relinquish some of their core players.

"That's what caps do," Stern said, "they move players around and distribute players a little more equally."

Stern admitted during a recent interview that the reduction of Bird Rights, the increase of the luxury tax, the hardening of the cap can only do so much to sway player preference.

"There are natural advantages to certain cities," he said. "Some people like lakes, and you can go to cities with lakes. Some people like the ocean and you can go to South Beach. But there is an increasing sense that 'glamorous' cities have an edge and I guess it's always been that way."

Doc Rivers is known as one of the NBA's favorite coaches amongst players of other teams. He is one of the NBA's most affable and engaging personalities.

But he is now easy to play for, according to several former and current Celtics. Rivers is hard on rookies and has no filter in assessing a player's abilities.

Avery Bradley has signed a one-year deal with Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli BSL.

Bradley, who was a first round pick in 2010 by Boston, has an NBA-out in his contract.

Avery Bradley is nearing a deal to play for Hapoel Jerusalem during the NBA lockout, according to sources.

Hapoel failed to complete a deal with Greivis Vasquez last week.

Throughout the lockout, Bradley has spoken of his desire to play meaningful minutes abroad.

Josh Howard is a free agent that could be pursued by the Celtics.

Howard was formerly one of the game's better small forwards, but has endured injuries over the past few seasons. Howard is believed to now be recovered from an ACL tear suffered in February of 2010.