"I'm still not a fan of the luxury tax," he said, as if he could not think of anything else. And nothing could have been a greater sign that there might be labor peace leading into the next deal.

The NBA has quietly let teams know there probably will not be a luxury tax after the 2004-05 season, the last season of the deal. The tax is triggered by a formula that considers basketball-related income and players' salaries. Income is expected to reach the point that there will be no tax.