NBA, players to resume talks Friday

In the spirit of finding a deal -- and what better day could there be for that than Black Friday? -- lawyers representing the NBA and its players Friday will attempt to reach a settlement to end the lockout and open a shortened season on Christmas Day.

If the sides can agree on a settlement -- and it is likely that steps toward that were taken when commissioner David Stern and former union executive director Billy Hunter spoke privately this week to set up the meeting -- a deal for a new collective-bargaining agreement could not happen until next week.

First, each side would have to withdraw lawsuits against the other, which couldn't be done until Monday. Then the players would have to re-form as a union, which would turn a settlement into a CBA.

Stern has said the league would need 30 days to start a season -- with the ratification process, free agency and training camp all to be done during that time -- but if the target is Christmas Day, it could be squeezed into a smaller window.