NEW YORK – The following statement was issued today by NBA Executive Vice President, Communications Mike Bass:

“The National Basketball Players Association has informed the NBA that it will not agree to ‘smoothing’ in the increases in the Salary Cap that will result from the new national media agreements beginning in the 2016-17 season.

“Smoothing would have avoided a substantial Salary Cap spike in 2016-17.  Under the league’s smoothing approach, the salary shortfall resulting from more gradual Cap increases would have been paid directly to the Players Association for distribution to all players, and thus the total compensation paid to players in any given season would not have been impacted.”