The marquee players have their endoresment deals to keep them afloat financially, but the vast majority of NBA players are taking a big hit. They are relying on their union leadership and the big-city owners to sway negotiations their way. THIS JUST IN; the majority of NBA owners LOST MONEY last year, some have lost money for several years. They are actually preserving their finances by NOT having to pay their players this year. Add to that, the small market owners are figuring out they have much, much less chance to keep a team together within their small market even if they do become a competitive team, a la the Thunder. What happened in Miami has reverberated all 'round the NBA; I don't think these small market owners are gonna back down, especially since they are in the MAJORITY. This is a rare opportunity for them to change the dynamics of the NBA for the better.