We're going with the optimism this morning, hoping the CBA bargaining sessions this weekend will lead to an agreement in principle, setting up a series of dominos that ends with real games beginning a month from now.
Here's a good guide on what things may look like over the next several weeks, assuming a deal gets done this weekend, which of course would be nice but nothing is yet certain.
Oct. 30 Agreement in Principle
Nov. 2 Agreement is ratified by both players & owners
Nov. 3- 17 New CBA is written up and approved
Nov. 18 Free Agency Begins
Nov. 20 Training Camp Begins
Nov. 29 First game of the regular season