The NBA had proposed a 50 percent pay cut starting in April but settled on half of that to start in mid-May.
Players received a letter in March reminding them of the clause that addresses an event that would make it economically impracticable for the NBA to perform its obligation in terms of player pay, including wars, terrorism, epidemics, and any governmental order or action.
A 25% pay cut applies to every player in the league, although six of the NBA’s highest earners have already been paid in full.
For Curry, who makes $40.2 million a season as the league’s highest-paid player, that will mean $420K per paycheck for each scheduled 25 percent reduction.
If the season is canceled, a 40 percent pay reduction comes into play, and players could lose a total of $1 billion in combined salary.