With the trade deadline and the next Collective Bargaining Agreement on the horizon, the NBA’s future remains in flux. The trade deadline will impact teams who engage in major trades before February 09. However, the upcoming CBA will have long-lasting impacts leaguewide, with even a possible lockout in case of drastic measures. Keeping that in mind, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently issued a stern warning to the players’ association.?
The popular TV personality from Inside the NBA?on TNT harped on the primary agendas that may take center stage in the upcoming CBA. While doing so, he pointed out how a notorious contemporary practice may tie the NBPA’s hands when facing the Billionaires on the other side of the table.?
Charles Barkley’s warning to NBPA?
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The NBA and NBPA’s harmonious relationship has helped the league emerge as one of the biggest sports in the country. However, the road to glory has not been easy, as two factions have locked horns on major decisions resulting in the lockouts like the one in 2011. Fast-forward to today, and the league may witness a similar outcome after the upcoming CBA.?
ICYMI: Earlier this week Charles Barkley shares his thoughts on load management…and he is NOT a fan.@TermineRadio | @Jumpshot8 pic.twitter.com/ZB3ABuIw3E
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) January 28, 2023
Phoenix Suns legend Charles Barkley recently appeared on the Sirius XM NBA radio show and shared his thoughts on the same. While doing so, Barkley pointed to the notorious Load-management practices followed around the league as a major point of contention in the CBA. He then issued a stern warning to the NBPA about how it may work against them.
Barkley said, “I cannot wait for these owners to put their foot in their asses in the next CBA. These dudes gon do something to these players. They are gonna be like, ‘You cannot make $50 million and not play half the season. Cuz now you are just slapping me in my face and taking my checks twice a month’…I think it is going to be very interesting in the next CBA as Billionaires always win against millionaires.”
“I think there’s gonna be a strike or a lockout, however you wanna phrase it,” the veteran NBA analyst further predicted.
Steve Kerr raised similar concerns
On a similar note, a few days back, the Golden State Warriors head coach passionately voiced his concerns on load management. In a post-game interview, Kerr said,?“I feel terrible for fans who bought a ticket expecting to see someone play. It’s a brutal part of the business.”?Moreover, he also advocated for a shortened season to avoid the notorious practice,?“It’s why I’m going to continue to advocate for 72-game seasons.”?
Steve Kerr on the Warriors sitting their big names in Cleveland tonight
“I feel terrible for fans who bought a ticket expecting to see someone play. It’s a brutal part of the business. It’s why I’m going to continue to advocate for 72-game seasons.”
Full soundbite pic.twitter.com/P0ZGbv1DNE
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 20, 2023
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Only time will tell what the results of the upcoming CBA will hold. What are your thoughts on load management? Let us know in the comments below.?
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With the 2023 CBA right around the corner, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley issued a stern warning to the players’ association.?
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