The NBA and NBPA have a deadline of Friday for either side to serve notice to terminate the collective bargaining agreement, but Michele Roberts told The Athletic that the players will review the league's proposal and does not anticipate a decision on the Dec. 22 start to the season by the end of the week.

“The union and the players are analyzing all of the information and will not be rushed,” Roberts told The Athletic. “We have requested and are receiving data from the parties involved and will work on a counterproposal as expeditiously as possible. I have absolutely no reason to believe that we will have a decision by Friday. I cannot and will not view Friday as a drop dead date.”

Both sides can extend negotiations beyond the Friday deadline.

“This summer, up through just two short weeks ago, our players accepted the challenges posed by and risks to their personal health and safety in order to save our season. Separated from their communities and their families, these men lived in isolation for months. Each day could have been met with the news that this awful virus had invaded their space and they were exposed to likely infection. They stayed the course, followed the protocol and, as a result, were able to deliver fabulous competition and completed the season able to crown a champion. It has been reported that those efforts generated an additional $1.5 billion dollars of revenue to be enjoyed by the players — and the team owners.”

The NBA is proposing a 72-game season amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that is getting worse in most parts of the United States.

“The players are now being asked to re-pack their bags and head back to camp in a little over a month. The prospective loss of revenue largely forms the basis of this proposal. Since its receipt a week ago,  the NBPA  — as is our practice — is reviewing and assessing the proposal and its underlying thesis. We will do so as expeditiously as practicable. Our focus will also include an analysis of any relevant health and safety implications. Simultaneously, we will be addressing these issues with our players. And, while we are all anxious to resolve these and other substantive issues outstanding between the parties, we plan to proceed at a pace that provides our players ample opportunity to determine the best way to proceed.”

The gaps between the NBA and NBPA center around the Dec. 22nd start date as well as the player escrow and total revenue situation.