NEW YORK — The NBA’s locked-out referees could be back on the floor in time for the regular season.
The league has made a new proposal, and a person familiar with the negotiations said it will be recommended for approval to the referees Friday. The person, who requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing, said it’s “highly likely” they’ll be on the court for next Tuesday’s season opener in Cleveland.
The breakthrough in the labor dispute came Tuesday, after a meeting that included commissioner David Stern and referees union negotiator Lamell McMorris — who had both previously withdrawn from the process.
“I think it’s great,” players’ association director Billy Hunter said. “We’d welcome them back.”
Neither the NBA nor the National Basketball Referees Association would comment on the progress in the talks, first reported by .
The contract between the league and the union expired Sept. 1 and the sides have been unable to reach a deal, though they were close a couple of times. The league has been using replacements officials in the preseason.
Bobcats’ Bell facing surgery
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bobcats starting shooting guard Raja Bell has a partially torn ligament in his left wrist and will soon decide whether to have surgery that could sideline him up to four months.
Bell was injured when his wrist bent awkwardly as he tried to grab a loose ball in Sunday’s game against the Jazz.
“The way I understand it, surgery would be six to eight (weeks) in a cast with pins and then six to eight (weeks) worth of rehab,” Bell said.
Footnotes.
The Timberwolves acquired forward Nathan Jawai and cash from the Mavericks for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2012.
• The Hawks released guards Juan Dixon and Mike Wilks.
The Associated Press
