NBA, union staffers to hold meeting on Friday

Staff members from the NBA and players' association will meet on Friday, the first session related to collective bargaining since the lockout began on July 1.

The meeting won't include Commissioner David Stern, union executive director Billy Hunter, or players or owners, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions. No new proposals are expected, says the person, who was granted anonymity because the meeting isn't being publicized.

Representatives of the sides have been together this month for an audit of last season's revenues, but this meeting, first reported on Tuesday by Bloomberg, is the first scheduled for negotiating a new deal. They were far apart when the old CBA expired at the end of the day on June 30.

The next fully attended session is likely late this month or early August.