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The home locker room inside Vivint Smart Home Arena was a happy one Wednesday night after the Utah Jazz had cruised to a 20-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder — and the players left knowing the good times could go on without interruption.
The National Basketball Players Association and the NBA on Wednesday announced they had reached a tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement, which would prevent a possible lockout next season.
"I'm happy that we were able to come to an agreement," Jazz forward Gordon Hayward said. "I know they've been working on it for a while now. Anytime where it's either a lockout or a strike or anything like that, it's not good for the game and the fans."
The deal must still be ratified by players and owners, but the two sides on Wednesday announced that they had moved the mutual deadline to opt out of the current CBA from Dec. 15 to Jan. 13 in order to give the parties enough time to finalize the deal.
In the Jazz locker room, players were still learning the details after Wednesday's win.
"I just found out about it right before the game," forward Derrick Favors said. "I'm happy they got it done so we don't have to deal with a lockout. … It feels good to get it done."
Utah's player representative last season was Trevor Booker, who left for the Brooklyn Nets in free agency. The Jazz have yet to elect his replacement.
Still, players felt comfortable a deal would be finalized.
"We've been having meetings about this the past couple years, and they do a good job of going around and talking with all the teams," Hayward said. "… They go around and talk to the teams and get input. They've done a good job of trying to get everybody involved."
The new agreement would extend the CBA for seven seasons with an opt-out possible after six seasons, according to the Associated Press. The AP also reported the deal, if ratified, would:
• Give teams the chance to extend some players for up to six years, giving more leverage to keep homegrown players.
• Cap the number of preseason games at six and start the season a week earlier in hopes of eliminating stretches of four games in five nights.
• Increase rookie-scale contracts.
• Create two-way contracts between the D-League and the NBA.
• Let players control their own marketing rights.
At a time when the NBA is enjoying record revenues, the agreement would mean the league would avoid another stoppage like the one that shortened the 2011-12 season.
"I'm happy," Jazz guard Rodney Hood said. "I haven't really looked into the details, but as far as the broad scheme of things, I'm happy with it. As long as it's not a stoppage in play and we're not going long months without playing ball, that's the biggest thing for me."
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
Jazz vs. Mavericks
P At Vivint Smart Home Arena
Tipoff • Friday, 8:30 p.m.
TV • ESPN
Radio • 1280 AM, 97.5 FM
Records • Jazz 16-10, Mavericks 6-19
Last meeting • The Mavericks dealt a serious blow to the Jazz's playoff hopes with a 101-92 win in Salt Lake City on April 11.
About the Jazz • Coming off back-to-back 20-point victories over the Kings and Thunder. … One of the NBA's top defenses, the Jazz have held opponents under 90 points 10 times this season. … Forward Derrick Favors played 13 minutes, scoring four points, in his first game back in about three weeks.
About the Mavericks • Have won 10 of the last 13 regular season meetings with the Jazz. … Former Jazzmen Wesley Matthews and Deron Willams are averaging 16 and 12.5 points per game, respectively. … Former Ute Andrew Bogut has missed five straight games with an injured knee.