What happened: ESPN published a breakdown of the league's opening offer in the new collective bargaining negotiations. The package is headlined by a salary cap and also includes a proposed overhaul of the amateur-entry system. It marks the formal starting point for what is shaping up to be a contentious round of labor talks.

Why it matters: A cap would be a structural first for the sport after decades of player resistance, which is why the initial CBA proposals are drawing heavy scrutiny. The amateur changes reportedly remove high school players from the domestic draft and make college players eligible only after their sophomore year, reshaping how talent enters the league. Together the proposals signal owners are seeking sweeping economic and structural concessions.

What to watch: Watch for the players' association response and whether the union engages on the cap framework or rejects it outright as the current agreement moves toward expiration.