WEDNESDAY, 11:52am: Hunter and the NBPA have announced several internal changes, including new anti-nepotism and conflict of interest policies, according to a press release.
"In my work for the NBPA, my priority has always been to promote the interests of the players," Hunter said. "Through the benefit of hindsight, as with any executive, there are always things that could have been done better."
TUESDAY, 1:22pm: The annual players' meeting is set to take place next month at All-Star weekend in Houston, and the future of union chief Billy Hunter is expected to be a major topic of discussion. According to Howard Beck of the New York Times, agent Arn Tellem is urging his clients and the rest of the league's players to oust Hunter, who Tellem says has violated the players' trust.
"NBA players deserve better representation from the union they fund," Tellem wrote in a letter to his clients. "I implore you and your fellow players to take control of your union and your future. It’s time for Mr. Hunter to go."
A law firm conducting an audit of the NBPA released its findings earlier this month, concluding that while Hunter wasn't guilty of any criminal acts, he put his own interests ahead of the union's, and the NBPA ought to consider whether he should be dismissed.
It's not clear exactly what the process of removing Hunter would involve, but for his part, Hunter seems determined to keep the job. After the Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison report was critical of Hunter's nepotism, the union chief fired family members, including his daughter and daughter-in-law, who had been part of the organization, according to Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg Sports.
"Hopefully this decision will alleviate any concerns raised by their employment," Hunter wrote in a letter to a special committe of NBA players. "These measures are being taken although the report noted that both of them were highly qualified, not overpaid, and were contributing members of the NBPA staff."