Nba, Union Reach Six-Year Accord Deal’s Signing Opens Door For Free-Agent Frenzy

The NBA and the players’ union finally made labor peace Thursday, signing a collective bargaining agreement that opened the richest free-agent market in league history.

The six-year deal, which extends through the 2000-2001 season, was signed at a New York law office a few minutes before 5 p.m. EDT, when a 10-day moratorium on signings, trades and negotiations was to expire.

Minutes later, agents and general managers were on the phones, talking business legally for the first time since June 30.

Among the players who can now negotiate with any club they choose are Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Juwan Howard, Dennis Rodman and Gary Payton.

A number of trades were said to be imminent, but the need to complete paperwork and tend to technicalities were slowing the process.

Lawyers from the league and the union reviewed about 300 pages of documents Thursday before signing them to end a year-long drama that included two lockouts, two ratification votes, two moratoriums and several 11th-hour compromises.

“The process has been a difficult one,” said Jeffrey Mishkin, the NBA’s chief legal officer. “But I think we now have an agreement that will provide a constructive framework for the long-term relationship between the NBA and its players.”

“We’re very happy with the deal,” said Jeffrey Kessler, the lead negotiator for the union. “It’s fair to the players, makes the players’ association much stronger and should lead to a renaissance of the union.”

The expiration of the moratorium ended a 10-1/2-day period in which teams were forbidden from talking to their own free agents and the players’ agents.

David Falk, who represents Jordan, Dikembe Mutombo, Howard and Kenny Anderson, among others, closed the door to his Washington office and went to work. His secretary said he planned to stay there well into the night.

Falk also has to deal with the negotiations for Jordan, who reportedly planned to meet with Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf on Thursday.

Payton, the defensive player of the year for the Seattle SuperSonics, said Wednesday night he expects to have a new contract within four or five days.

“I’m going to sign early and set the market for the guards,” he said. “I’ll pace it for the guards so they’ll have something to go for.”

O’Neal and his representative said bids will be accepted for one week, ending July 19.