NBA likely headed for lockout says players' union chief

With the NBA's collective bargaining agreement set to expire in July, negotiations for a new deal between owners and players have yet to materialize, leading Billy Hunter to believe the league will suspend play next year.

"I'd be 99 percent sure as of today there will be a lockout," Hunter told the New York Times. "I've said, 'Save your money because in all probability there's going to be a lockout.'"

The NBA owners are looking to shorten player contracts and reduce salaries by nearly 40 percent while Hunter has effectively rejected the notion.

While no meetings are scheduled, the two sides have discussed meeting in late December in the hope of reaching a deal and avoiding the NBA's first lockout since the 1998-99 season.

"I'm waiting to get some sign, some movement from owners, that they want to reach a reasonable deal," Hunter said. "Right now they're being unreasonable. And I can't tell you when reason is going set in."

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Steve Ginsburg)