A bit of potentially good news in regards to the ongoing NBA lockout, as ESPN reports through sources that a meeting between the NBA's owners and players got underway at 1 p.m. eastern on Wednesday. After the NBA Players Association rejected the latest labor proposal on Tuesday, they asked for another bargaining session before the deadline on Wednesday evening. According to commissioner David Stern, that deadline signified a point where the current offer would be taken off the table.
But the piece from ESPN also has a bit of information relating to the Cleveland Cavaliers and, more specifically, owner Dan Gilbert and how he's affecting the negotiations:
Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has been one of the faces of the so-called "hardline" owners during the protracted talks. He's long been one of the certified "hawks" -- the aggressive and hungry faction that was known to be seeking radical change.
However, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN.com that Gilbert has adjusted his position in recent days and moved into a more moderate mode, voting with fellow owners who are willing to accept a 50/50 share of BRI.
That really seems significant at this point. If Gilbert has been a force in meetings for the hardline, and the players are really only seeks fundamental concessions as opposed to huge structural changes, a major force for the owners taking a more passive role could be just what the deliberations need at this point.