NBA Shopping Spree Hits a Snag, Gets Delayed Again

The delayed start of the NBA’s free-agent signing bonanza was delayed again Tuesday when a late snag in negotiations with the players’ union on a new collective bargaining agreement prompted a brief lockout and ultimately extended the moratorium on most league business until Thursday afternoon.

“We’ve waited nine days. A couple more won’t hurt,” said Gary Payton, who figures to re-sign with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Charles Barkley said he and other members of the Olympic team would have refused to play an exhibition against China tonight in Phoenix if the dispute over dispersal of $50 million in TV revenue had not been settled. His U.S. teammates were quick to note that no vote had been taken, but all agreed that a lockout would have forced them to consider actions.

Bidding on the free-agent group that includes Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller and Juwan Howard was originally to begin July 1, but now has been delayed twice. The latest breakdown occurred about 6 a.m., after an all-night negotiating session in New York as lawyers worked to finally put the agreement on paper so it could be signed before the moratorium expired at noon.

The union refused to extend the moratorium and reportedly dared the owners to impose a lockout. The owners complied. But it was lifted shortly afterward.

“If the lockout began at noon, it lasted eight minutes because we settled the issue at 12:08 p.m.,” union lawyer Jeffrey Kessler said.

Now, contract offers for rookies and free agents and previously arranged trades--including the one sending Vlade Divac from the Lakers to the Charlotte Hornets for Kobe Bryant--will be made Thursday. Probably.