Players reacted with excitement and caution when news began to spread on Saturday that NBA owners were ready to lift the lockout after reaching a tentative deal to end a bitter, five-month labour dispute.
"Man I just got up not too long ago and see we have a deal! I feel like my kids on X-mas day! So juiced!! Excited for," Miami Heat's LeBron James wrote on Twitter. "Miami/South Florida let's go!!!! HEAT is gone be on FIRE."
Owners and players must still ratify the handshake deal that would see the league play a 66-game schedule starting with a triple-header on Christmas Day.
NBA executive David Stern said the deal would be put before the owners' labour relations committee before being passed on to the overall Board of Governors.
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