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A few days after commissioner David Stern said the NBA players union was preparing to make a "tragic mistake" and Billy Hunter was claiming to hear a "death knell for the NBA," the two were seated at a table at the SBC Center in San Antonio, smiling and clasping hands for a photo op. A new labor agreement had been struck. Tragedy and death had been averted.

The upshot of the agreement is known. The owners are happy because the length of player contracts has been scaled back a year, annual raises have been dropped by 2 percent and the minimum draft age is 19. The players are happy because the amount of their salaries withheld in escrow has been cut, the owners are not implementing a "super tax" and players suspended more than 12 games will be able to appeal to a neutral body.

But some of the intriguing aspects of the new contract are the ones in fine print. These might have more impact than some of the headline-grabbing issues.

Minor league structure

Players with less than two years of experience will be eligible to be sent to the NBDL, which means the youngsters chosen in the draft will have a place to play. A true minor league, at last.

But there are questions. The league intends to boost the number of NBDL teams to 15, with two NBA teams sharing each NBDL team. But how will NBDL coaches determine playing time? Will there be pressure to play the demoted players ahead of free agents? Financially, can the NBDL sustain itself? Shouldn't NBDL teams be near the NBA teams they serve, to drum up interest?

Trades

NBA trading rules traditionally have been restrictive, to prevent lower-revenue teams from making financially driven trades. Previously, if a team traded a player, the player(s) it received had to make the same salary, within 15 percent (plus $100,000). So, if you wanted to move a $5 million player, you were obligated to take back anywhere from $4.15 million to $5.85 million.

But the 15 percent and $100,000 has been increased to 25 percent and $100,000, so trading a $5 million player now requires taking back between $3.65 million and $6.35 million in salaries.

Second-round picks

Remember how Gilbert Arenas escaped the Warriors thanks to a collective bargaining agreement loophole? No more. Used to be that a second-round pick who signed a two-year deal could become a restricted free agent and his team could match any offer he received. But if that team was over the salary cap--most are--the team could match only to the midlevel exception (about $5 million).

Now, an outside team making an offer for a second-round restricted free agent must start the bidding at the midlevel exception in the first year and can increase its offer to the maximum after that. That allows the player's current team to match any offer using its midlevel exception.

The tax break

Teams that pay the luxury tax might be able to use a one-time opportunity to cut one player. The player still would get paid, but the team could take his salary off its books and gain some cap relief. This rule still is being negotiated, however, and a source says it still is "very much in doubt on the union side."

speed read

Chris Webber, Marcus Camby, Zach Randolph, Rasheed Wallace, Damon Stoudamire ... it would take awhile to compile a complete list of players who have had legal problems in connection with marijuana. That's what makes the league's new drug policy--four random tests throughout the season--a very good idea. The steady stream of arrests has done too much damage to the league's image.

INSIDE DISH

The Bucks, timing for firing coach Terry Porter was strange--just one week before the draft, But the decision to fire Porter came after it became evident that there would be some high-profile candidates available, such as Nate McMillan, Flip Saunders. Paul Silas and Eric Musselman: Back in May, when G.M. Larry Harris held a press conference to announce Porter would not be fired, the Bucks figured teams such as the Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves, Magic and Cavaliers would snap up the big names. But the Lakers got Phil Jackson, the Knicks appear likely to keep Herb Williams, and the other three teams hired assistant coaches. With the No. 1 pick and oodles of salary cap space, the Bucks now figure their coaching job is more attractive. * One downside for the Bucks: A prominent player agent says the treatment of Porter, who was a player just four seasons ago, might damage the team's ability to sign free agents. "The direction of the franchise sure looks a little confused in all this," the agent says. * To fill their need for a backup big man, the Suns put together a deal to send G/F Quentin Richardson to the Knicks for PF Kurt Thomas. But if Thomas starts and Shawn Marion moves back to small forward, the Suns want to keep the option of going small with Marion at power forward. To do that, they'll need find another wing man, preferably a good 3-point shooter. * New Magic coach Brian Hill ticked off PF Dwight Howard by not rehiring assistant Clifford Ray, who was brought in to facilitate Howard's transition to the NBA. Ray also prodded the Magic's other bigs into hitting the boards--the Magic were 23rd in rebounding in 2003-04 and third this season.

INSIDE DISH

By Michael Bradley

Though some BCS schools plan to use the pending 12th regular-season game to dumb down their schedules, North Carolina and South Carolina are close to an agreement to restart their rivalry. The two teams have played 54 times, last meeting in 1991.They could clash again in 2007, in Charlotte. * North Carolina received a blow when projected starting RB Ronnie McGill tore a chest muscle while lifting weights. The injury requires surgery, and McGill could be out for five months. Last season, McGill had 419 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. His absence will mean the Heels must start either LSU transfer Barrington Edwards or one of two true freshmen: James Arnold or Richie Rich. * If you're wondering why the Mid-American Conference would accept Temple into its football fold, consider that MAC schools likely will begin playing as many as four basketball games against Temple beginning in 2006-07, a relationship that could lead to full conference membership for the Owls (provided an East Coast travel partner joins, too) down the line. * As if Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey didn't have enough problems-with the NCAA investigation into the program's use of ineligible players (though Galley isn't accused of wrongdoing)--he now must deal with the arrest of starting CB Reuben Houston, who allegedly conspired to possess and distribute roughly 100 pounds of marijuana, valued at $60,000. The Jackets are returning two other corners with starting experience--junior Kenny Scott and senior Dennis Davis-but neither was expected to contribute as much as Houston. * Arizona State has taken a step toward overcoming the fallout from the murder charges against former RB Loren Wade, who is accused of killing former teammate Brandon Falkner. The Sun Devils had close to 90 percent participation in their voluntary workouts this spring, and during a team meeting, QB Sam Keller and five other players pledged to lead the squad away from the tragedy and to success this year. * When Northwestern's 1995 Big Ten championship team gets together for a reunion this July, don't expect many good wishes from newly hired Louisiana-Monroe linebackers coach Vince Okruch to Colorado head coach Gary Barnett or to Bowling Green head coach Gregg Brandon. Okruch, Colorado's former defensive coordinator, was fired by Barnett after the 2003 season--but not until two days before 2004 signing day to make sure Okruch's recruits came aboard. The late firing put Okruch at a disadvantage in the job market. Meanwhile, the stench from the Colorado scandal followed Okruch, though he landed a defensive coordinator position at Division I-AA Western Illinois last year. Okruch was up for the coordinator position at Bowling Green earlier this year, but Brandon--a longtime friend-chose someone else. While Okruch continues to search for a Division I-A coordinator's position, word out of Boulder is that Barnett will sign a contract extension this summer.

Coaches feel peer pressure, too

Expect the coaches' decision to make their final poll ballots public to have ramifications. "In the past, because nobody knew who you were voting for, you would vote teams higher that you thought were better, a former head coach says. But when given the choice between a friend's school and another team for a high spot, a coach now likely will go with his pal. "You're going to have people saying, 'I can't lose a friend over this. It isn't worth it,'" the former coach says. When the poll results were confidential, a coach could vote his conscience without threatening relationships. It's just another reason the BCS struggles to maintain credibility.

Blue Devil no more

Chancellor Young, a former highly coveted wideout recruit, has left Duke after catching just two passes as a freshman in 2004.The son of former Southern California All-American and NFL standout TE Charles Young is rumored to be considering a transfer to Washington. Chancellor Young is from Seattle, and his brother, Charles, played at Stanford under current Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham.

Be good--or else

Iowa State DL Jason Berryman, the 2003 Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year, has been released from jail after serving 258 days for theft and assault. But before Berryman could return to his team, he had to sign a "behavioral contract" with coach Dan McCarney. Details of the contract were not revealed, but Berryman also must attend anger management counseling, perform community service and attend summer school at his own expense.

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