In the latest sign that the NBA is heading towards a long lockout, Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News is reporting that the NBA has cancelled it's annual summer league, which is often used to give draft picks, undrafted free agents, and journeymen an extended NBA tryout. They'll also get rid of their summer internship program:
In two more signs that the NBA is gearing up for a lockout starting July 1, the league has scrubbed its annual Las Vegas summer league and has also scuttled its annual summer internship program, according to league sources.
The Rockets often created awesome summer league teams, and it will be one less chance for newer Rockets like Hasheem Thabeet, Marcus Cousin, and Marqus Blakely to state their case for a roster spot next season. The Summer League is traditionally held in Las Vegas in mid-July, and is one of the best bargains for a hoops junkie looking for something to watch before the season starts. The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and it's players will expire on July 1.