Michele Roberts reacted to an announcement from the NBA that the G League will have "Special Contracts" available for top prep stars who wish to forego college and make $125,000 for one season in the G League. The goal of the plan is to offer an alternate path for prospects who would rather not to go college before the one-and-done rule is eliminated, which will likely be by 2022.

“Everybody wants to stay at home. That’s natural instinct,” National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts told Yahoo Sports. “Going overseas is lonely. The G League, at least historically, has been a more profitable option … most of the time, guys are making more money, having access to family and friends.”

Roberts wasn't involved in the union when the one-and-done rule was enacted.

“I don’t know how many slots we’re talking about [for elite G League players with special contracts], I don’t know what additional conditions are attached to it,” Roberts said. “This is not something we’ve [the NBPA] negotiated. [The prospects] are not members of the union. I have more questions about that contract. The six figures will get some guys’ attention.”

Roberts told Yahoo Sports that unionization of G League players could be on the horizon.

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association are struggling to reach an agreement on lowering the league's minimum age to 18.

The NBA is attempting to attach two conditions: requiring player-agents furnish all teams with medical information on draft prospects and also mandating players' attendance and some level of participation in the pre-draft combine.

The NBA hopes to have a deal with the NBPA to remove the one-and-done rule in time for the 2022 NBA Draft.

The league and union must collectively bargain any changes to a CBA that was ratified in 2016.

The Portland Trail Blazers will continue to be overseen by Vulcan Sports and Entertainment following the death of Paul Allen.

“At this point we’re just dealing with the death and we don’t have any imminent announcements,” Vulcan Sports and Entertainment CEO Chris McGowan said. “At an appropriate time I’m sure we’ll come and talk with everyone about what potentially could happen but right now we’re just dealing with the grief.”

Allen's sister, Jody Allen, is believed to be his heir. Jody Allen reportedly has stronger interest in the Seattle Seahawks than the Blazers.

A business group in Quebec has interest in pursuing an NBA expansion team.

The business group is led by former federal cabinet minister and senator Michael Fortier.

Fortier said Wednesday he has spoken with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, saying his group has "taken the decision to prepare for when expansion does take place."

Fortier estimated a franchise would cost $1.5 billion to $2 billion.

The team would play at the Bell Centre.

Some prospective ownership groups have been told by NBA officials that expansion may not happen until 2025 at the earliest, according to sources.

The 2025 timeline coincides with when a new television deal can be negotiated. 

KeyArena in Seattle is being renovated and is projected for completion in late 2020 or early 2021.

But Seattle may need to have a second new arena with the NBA team as the main tenant if the city wants to outbid other markets to attract a team, multiple ownership sources said.

Beyond expansion, Seattle could be a destination for a team that relocates. The Memphis Grizzlies are the most obvious candidate, but relocating would force Robert Pera to sell his stake in the team.