Jim Quinn has been in contact with both David Stern and Billy Hunter since collective bargaining talks broke down and the union disclaimed.
For nearly 20 years Quinn served as lead outside counsel for the National Basketball Players Association and who helped broker the deal that ended the 1998-99 lockout.
Quinn characterized the conversations as "touchy-feely" and "off-the-record," and said they have occurred "in the past number of days."
"The reality is," he said, "sometimes off-the-record conversations can be useful."
Quinn's biggest asset may be the fact that he knows everybody involved.
"I've always said that I'll be helpful in any way I can be," Quinn said. "Everyone would like to see that there is a season, so sure, I'd be helpful."
Stern and Adam Silver declined interview requests on Tuesday.
"The most favorable outcome is that they somehow get together quickly and reach an agreement so that they can have a reasonable season," Quinn said. "I hesitate to guess what most likely outcome is.
"I think both sides want a settlement," he said. "I just don't know whether they can get one quickly."
According to people involved in the process on both sides, there is a common realization that this is the week a deal must come together to fulfill the league's desire to start the season by Christmas.