Billy Hunter, director of the NBA players association, plans another negotiating session with commissioner David Stern and they will likely discuss falling salaries.

The union says total player compensation will fall this season, which would be only the second drop in the salary cap era that began in the 1984-85 season.

"We have some concern, but I think a lot of it has to do with the system," Hunter said Thursday. "I think it has to do with the economy, I think it has more to do with attitude. I just think that they decided they're just going to be a lot more cautious and restricting in terms of spending dollars."

Hunter also said there is approximately $1.5 billion less in committed contracts now than in 2005-06, the first year of the deal.