“The Lakers Winning the Championship Then”: NBA Fans Go Berserk as Potential ‘NBA Lockout’ Reports Emerge

So far, the Los Angeles Lakers have a 0-5 start in the league this season. They recently lost their 5th consecutive game against the Minnesota Timberwolves (102-111). The Lakers likely don’t have much in their hands to rebuild their roster as they don’t have any first-round picks until 2023. They will perhaps have to resort to trade deals to sign players. They are paying huge salaries to players such as Russell Westbrook, who has struggled to settle in despite joining over a year ago.

Now, the NBA is reportedly proposing the implementation of an upper salary limit on a new collective bargaining agreement with the NBPA. But it has apparently been met with firm resistance from the players’ union and could potentially lead to a lockout.

Fans are undoubtedly aware of the most recent NBA lockout that happened in 2011. It lasted for 161 days, leading to a delay at the start of the 2011-12 season. It also shortened the regular season to 66 games. The biggest issue dividing the NBA and NBPA was the salary cap and luxury tax structure.

ALSO READ: “Is LeBron James Just Losing Heart for This?”: Moments Before the Lakers Star’s Cryptic Message, Staunch Critic Questioned His Commitment

However, after a decade, the NBA is seeking to add an upper salary limit to keep current salaries from skyrocketing. However, the move has been met with firm resistance from the NBPA. According to Marc Stein, some insiders felt a lockout is “inevitable” in such circumstances.

Marc Stein reported: “There will be a lockout,” one source from the players’ side told me, “before there’s a hard cap.”

The news of a potential lockout has shocked NBA fans. Fans already what it was like back in 2011 when there were no games for a long time.

NBA fans react to the news of a potential NBA lockout

The report of a potential NBA lockout went viral on social media. It sparked reactions from fans, who had mixed reactions to the news.

Following are some of the reactions on NBA Twitter:

The Golden State Warriors spent a lot last season and had a record $354 million payroll for the 2021-22 season. However, this is not something that is driving the salary cap negotiations. Their potential payroll for next season also led to complaints from other league owners. Furthermore, the Warriors recently extended the contracts of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins.

The Los Angeles Lakers might benefit from the proposed hard cap

The NBA implemented the luxury tax to stop the bigger market teams from spending as much as they want. However, teams with rich owners have managed to find ways around the luxury tax. Many players undoubtedly want to play for the Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA career. The LA-based franchise has signed many top players over the years on huge salaries.

Watch This Story: Will the Lakers trade Russell Westbrook before the trade deadline?

However, a hard cap would mean owner Jeanie Buss can possibly still sign top players at the right price. The salaries would also be in line with the new rules the NBA is trying to implement.

Do you think there will be a lockout? What are your thoughts on a salary cap? Let us know in the comments below.