What's next for NBA and players?

The sides will continue to negotiate ancillary points of the settlement, called "B-list issues," which involve items such as drug testing and the draft eligibility age. Though some will be met with strong debate, none is expected to torpedo a deal at this point.

The league held a conference call yesterday with its labor relations committee to discuss the new deal. But it will not be put to a formal ratification by the board of governors until there is a completed document. Once it is, David Stern said he expects close to a unanimous vote to pass it.

Players have to withdraw the lawsuit in Minnesota, probably Monday. And the NBA has to withdraw its lawsuit against players in NY district court.

The NBA Players Association, which was dissolved as a union last week, needs to declare itself a union again with the National Labor Relations Board. Once that happens, the settlement turns into a collective-bargaining agreement, which will be presented for a full membership vote. This deal won't be unanimously accepted and some players might even decline to vote, but Billy Hunter said he expects it to pass by the required simple majority.

Once the agreement is ratified by the owners and the players, the NBA will lift the lockout, which will allow players to use team facilities in preparation for training camp.

The league will release the 66-game schedule, with Christmas as the opening date, and tickets will go on sale. The free-agency signing period also will begin and draft picks can be signed to contracts. The NBA set Dec. 9 as the target date for training camps to open.

-- ALAN HAHN