There is currently not enough support for an amnesty clause among NBA owners as they continue negotiations for a new deal with the National Basketball Players Association, sources told ESPN.com.
The sides met on Wednesday in New York and continue to make progress toward a new labor deal, though a resolution is not expected this week, sources said.
Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, who doubles as NBPA president, participated in Wednesday's bargaining session in New York headlined by NBA commissioner Adam Silver and union head Michele Roberts, flying cross country overnight after the Clippers' preseason game Tuesday in Sacramento, California.
Paul's participation in Wednesday's session, sources said, is a strong signal that a deal between the parties is within range.
There have been amnesty clauses in the past two CBAs, allowing teams to waive players and have their salaries removed from the salary cap.
This move would potentially deal a blow to the Miami Heat as they look for a solution to Chris Bosh, who is owed $75 million over the next three years.
The sides have made progress on several other key issues including contract extensions, restricted free agency and qualifying offers, according to sources.
Under the new deal, players are expected to be able to sign contract extensions two years after the date of their original signing. Currently, they have to wait three years.
Restricted free agents also will be able to agree to offer sheets with teams starting on July 1 instead of waiting until July 7. The window for teams to match these offer sheets will be reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours.
Also, teams will no longer be able to pull qualifying offers to restricted free agents, as is currently allowed before July 31.
Information from ESPN's Zach Lowe and Ian Begley was used in this report.
