Even though the math says the NBA players are leaving money on the table for the current season that they will never get back, they appear to realize that holding firm for a favorable deal is about the future.

"Players know that they'll never see 57% again," wrote ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "If they go to 50, they never see 52.5 again. This about setting standards for the future."

McMenamin's comments have been Re-Tweeted several times, including by Kevin Durant.