A source close to several players said Friday's estimate of a $56.1 million cap "will compel" the union to take a closer examination at a collusion case.

The union will look to determine whether any players suffered financial harm last summer from the low cap projection, which was based on an expected 2.5 to 5 percent decline in basketball-related income.

If that avenue is pursued, it would have a major impact on the ongoing talks regarding a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the one set to expire in June 2011.

"A memo of this nature can have a chilling effect on the market for free agent and rookie signings," union director Billy Hunter said last July. "If it later turns out that the league did not have a good-faith basis for making these projections, the NBPA will pursue all available legal remedies, including a treble damages claim for collusion."

Hunter was not immediately available for comment Friday.