NBA notebook: Small NBA meeting held, leadership talks Thursday

Staff members from the NBA and players' association have met, and top negotiators from both sides will talk Thursday.

A small group from each side took part over a few hours Wednesday. On Thursday, Commissioner David Stern, Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and other top negotiators from the league will meet with executive director Billy Hunter, president Derek Fisher of the Lakers, who was flying overnight to New York, and others from the union.

Players and owners are still clashing over the salary cap structure as the lockout that began July 1 reaches an important stage. Training camps expected to open Oct. 3 would likely be postponed without a deal this week.

AND MARTIN MAKES 3 … IN CHINA: The Denver Nuggets' options could be limited if there's an NBA season.

Three of their free agents have decided to play in China — Kenyon Martin became the third on Wednesday — and two starters are taking their games to Europe.

And while Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari can return if there indeed is a 2011-12 season, Martin won't be able to leave his Chinese Basketball Association squad until the season ends in March.

J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler have also elected to play in China, which won't allow NBA players to opt out of their one-year contracts should the lockout end.