"Two agents from the 'dissident' camp said Thursday that
they have seen only an outline of the new proposal but don't
believe it will satisfy most of the players in the league,"
according to Bob Young in this morning's ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Marc
Fleisher: "I've only seen a page-and-a-half outline that was
sent out to owners, but it appears that the changes from the
first deal are inadequate. It doesn't look like it will have any
real impact on the important points, which are the hard cap and
guaranteed contracts. Those points have not been adequately
addressed." Ron Grinker: "I don't think this agreement will
pass. I haven't seen the small print yet, and maybe there will
be some things in there that will change my mind. I'd be
delighted to be wrong." More Fleisher: "If you look at free
agency over the last several years, the only way players were
able to move was by filling salary slots. Those slots have all
been eliminated, and now there is only a $1 million exception and
an injury exception. There will be no more A.C. Greens or Horace
Grants. All those types of players will not be able to move
under this deal." Suns Player Rep Joe Kleine: "No, players
won't be able to move the way they could. That last agreement
was great for the players, and I wish it would stay that way.
You could sign a one-year contract, and then get a ton of money.
But it isn't realistic to expect the owners to allow that. I'd
love to keep it that way, but it's not going to happen. If (the
dissidents) think they're going to get those things by
decertification, I disagree" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 8/11). Hornets
Player Rep Kenny Gattison: "It's a deal I'd definitely be
willing to play under and I think 95 percent of the guys in the
NBA will prosper under it. I feel no matter what deal we
returned with there'd be some guys who wouldn't be happy" (Terry
Bell, VANCOUVER PROVINCE, 8/11).
