Carmelo Anthony 'skeptical' CBA will be reached by deadline

While talks between the NBA and the players association have been ongoing, there might not be a new collective bargaining agreement in place before the two sides can opt out before Thursday's deadline.

NBPA vice president Carmelo Anthony told ESPN Saturday that he is "skeptical" that a deal will be reached by the deadline.

Anthony said that the two sides were close, but now it appears that getting something done would be difficult. He declined to say what the problem was with the negotiations.

"I'm skeptical of something getting done," Anthony said. "Do I think something could happen by the 15th? Yeah, I think something could happen. But I think this kind of put a dent in conversations.

"We had something so close. We were supposed to have a deal done weeks ago, and for this to happen at the 25th hour is tough."

There had been plenty of optimism from both sides that a deal could get done. With the new TV deal kicking in this season, there will be plenty of money to go around for players and owners.

The deadline could be extended, but the two sides would have to negotiate that as well.