In an ESPN podcast over the weekend, NBA commissioner David Stern said the league is open to contraction as a way to increase the league’s profitability, which has been a sticking point in the collective bargaining negotiations and lockout.

“When you talk about revenue sharing, a number of teams have said that if you have a team that is perpetually going to be a recipient, aren’t you better off with the ability to buy them in?” Stern said. “Because between the revenue sharing and the split of international and the TV money, we could almost buy them in with their own money.”

Stern said “players actually have been heard to suggest that as well,” but added that “if you look for volunteers, there aren’t many teams raising their hand.”

Stern would not name specific teams that might face contraction, defending the Hornets, Kings and Bobcats, three teams that for various reasons (NBA ownership of the Hornets, struggling ownership and failed move to Anaheim by the Kings, lack of profit by the Bobcats) would be likely candidates for contraction.

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