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Evans, 34, was an executive vice president at the NBPA. He was perhaps the player and union rep closest to Hunter during the 2011 lockout and its aftermath. Evans is Hunter’s staunchest defender. After nine NBA seasons — he played last year with the Wizards — the career-long role player couldn’t find a job this season, which meant his role in the union ended. “Without a doubt, I know me not being in the league has something to do with my support of Billy Hunter,” Evans said. “I’m fully comfortable not playing in the NBA ever again.” FOXSports.com

Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Maurice Evans 

In November of 2011, Fisher threatened to sue me for writing that members of the union confronted him concerning his relationship with Stern and deputy commissioner Adam Silver. “Of course (the players) have questions about Derek,” Evans said. “But Derek has done a great job of being on the offensive and only pointing the finger at Mr. Hunter. (Derek) has been busy throwing darts and throwing dirt at (Hunter) that nobody has ever taken the time to stop and ask what is Derek’s motive. What really went on in Dallas that he left to go and say now all of sudden he has family issues, he misses his family? “Now all of sudden what really happened? We voted him out 8-0 as president and yet he still stayed on, didn’t blink twice and came back with Paul-Weiss, and now they’re running the union.” FOXSports.com

Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Maurice Evans, Adam Silver 

Billy Hunter’s 16-year stewardship of the players union is likely to end Saturday afternoon in a hotel conference room where more than 30 players are expected to gather, deliberate and ultimately fire their longtime executive director. Hunter, 70, will not be present to defend himself when his fate is decided. He was accused of nepotism and a wide range of questionable business practices in a 469-page independent audit released last month. Hunter is also under investigation by the United States attorney’s office, the Labor Department and New York’s attorney general. New York Times

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Steve Novak, the Knicks' alternate player representative, said the purpose of Saturday's meeting is to "make sure everybody has the same information and decide what that information means." But Novak said Hunter should be given the opportunity to present his side to the players who will decide his future. "I don't think any decision should be made without both sides, on any issue," Novak said. "Obviously, the reports have come out and guys have all seen that and that's from one side. I think as a union and him being our representative for so many years, it wouldn't be right not to hear from both sides." CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Steve Novak 

The Spurs' Matt Bonner, one of the five interim committee members who voted to put Hunter on leave, said he'd read Hunter's rebuttal and added, "Personally, I already know his side of things." "I think I have a good grasp of both sides of the story to make an educated decision on how to move forward," Bonner said. "I think a lot of players are in the same boat. ... I think players will be informed on both sides regardless of whether Billy is able to make a presentation or not." CBSSports.com

San Antonio Spurs, Matt Bonner, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

The rebuttal, posted on a new website and signed by four attorneys from three law firms, takes the Paul-Weiss report to task for a "lack of objectivity" and for being "rife with inaccuracies." "If Mr. Hunter ever needs to address the report line-by-line and point-by-point, he will do so," his attorneys wrote. But not during All-Star weekend. One of Hunter's attorneys, Michael Carlinksky of Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan, said in a statement that Hunter would not be attending the players' meeting in Houston Saturday after being told repeatedly that he would not be welcome. "We have been asking for two weeks if we can come," Carlinsky said. "The message from the interim executive committee was you are not coming." CBSSports.com

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Q: How long do you think a search for a new executive director should take? Tellem: The search for a new director need not be quick, nor should it be a popularity contest. To make the best possible choice, patience is required. Ideally, the process would extend through the summer so that the candidate or candidates can meet with key players during the offseason. To do less than this -- to speed the process unwisely -- might only compound the current problem. Considering that a long-time labor agreement is already in place, whoever is hired must protect labor rights while working with (NBA Deputy Commissioner & COO) Adam Silver and the league to grow revenue. Sports Business Daily

Billy Hunter, NBPA, Arn Tellem, Agents 

Q: Who should run the NBPA in the meantime? Tellem: After many months of internal turmoil, stability will be the key during any transition. (Union counsel and interim Exec Dir) Ron Klempner has been with the union a long time. He's quite capable of running things smoothly until a new executive director is found. I’m confident that he will look out for and protect the interests of the players. Sports Business Daily

Billy Hunter, NBPA, Arn Tellem, Agents 

Q: What about the other union positions? Tellem: The union needs a clean sweep of executive leadership positions. The players would be wise to hire an outside general counsel, one not affiliated with either Billy or (NBPA President) Derek Fisher. He or she should be independent and impartial. Jim Quinn of Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York is worthy of consideration. So is his law partner, Bruce Meyer. Jim’s proficiency in sports-related labor law dates to Oscar Robertson’s landmark 1970 anti-trust case. During the last lockout, both Quinn and Meyer were enlisted by the union to mediate a deal with (NBA Commissioner) David Stern. Sports Business Daily

Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Arn Tellem, Agents 

Powerful NBA player agent and Wasserman Media Group Vice Chair Arn Tellem called for players to take time in finding a replacement NBPA player leaders vote to terminate Exec Dir Billy Hunter’s employment contract Saturday. WMG represents more than 50 NBA players, and Tellem was one of a group of seven so-called “power agents” who held meetings without Hunter during the '11 NBA lockout about decertifying the union, something Hunter initially opposed. Tellem already has sent a letter to WMG's player clients, urging them to fire Hunter. However, he said Thursday evening that the agents who met during the lockout have had no conversations about the future of the union. Sports Business Daily

Billy Hunter, NBPA, Arn Tellem, Agents 

Billy Hunter, the embattled executive director of the N.B.A. players union, could be terminated Saturday afternoon, without the chance to directly address the union’s leadership or to defend himself against charges of nepotism and mismanagement. Hunter, 70, has not been invited to Saturday’s meeting, and his lawyers are assuming that he will not be permitted to attend. New York Times

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Ken Berger: Hunter's future likely will be decided in NBPA player rep meeting tomorrow in Houston. Hunter has not been granted permission to attend. Twitter @KBergCBS

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Attorneys for Billy Hunter released a rebuttal on Friday to a massive report that questioned his judgment and leadership of the National Basketball Players Association, citing their disappointment that the executive director has not been invited to All-Star Weekend to defend himself in person. "When a law firm spends $5 million digging through 17 years of someone's life and interviews more than three dozen people, fairness dictates that the person be allowed an opportunity to respond in person to the people who are most concerned," Hunter's attorney's wrote in the 21-page rebuttal posted online. CBSSports.com

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

The rebuttal, posted on a new website and signed by four attorneys from three law firms, takes the Paul-Weiss report to task for a "lack of objectivity" and for being "rife with inaccuracies." "If Mr. Hunter ever needs to address the report line-by-line and point-by-point, he will do so," his attorneys wrote. CBSSports.com

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Hunter can be fiery and convincing. It's a skill that has served players in negotiations with the NBA. It has also served to squelch (Tellem would say "intimidate") those like Pat Garrity and Derek Fisher who have both questioned his business practices. Regardless, player reps have heard complaints about Hunter for years and Hunter's force of personality has, by numerous insider accounts, been the driving force preventing them from taking action. ESPN.com

Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Pat Garrity 

The meeting, which will be run by interim union head Ron Klempner and president Derek Fisher has been intentionally scheduled at a time and place that would make it very easy for superstars to attend after All-Star practice concludes. The presence of stars, the thinking goes, could embolden players to imagine life after Hunter. (Theoretically it could also lend Hunter critical support, should any stars see his point of view.) Even assuming the predictions are right and Hunter can't save his job, there's still plenty to be worked out. For instance, will the players pay Hunter to go away? How much? And what about a replacement? Who'll conduct the search? Is Derek Fisher a candidate to take over? ESPN.com

Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

I'm told finding the next leader of the union will likely take until July to identify, if not longer. ESPN.com

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Welcome to Mr. Hunter's new blog, simply designed for two purposes: 1) To keep many of you updated on the status of Mr. Hunter's position with the NBPA. Many of you have graciously inquired about the well-being of both Mr. Hunter and his family during this challenging time. 2) To provide a strong preliminary rebuttal to the Paul Weiss Report which was one-sided in content and not characteristic of Mr. Hunter's successful 17 year tenure of the NBPA. Billy Hunter

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Therefore, the links below will lead you to the preliminary response to the Report (including a brief executive summary) and importantly, a presentation we were prepared to deliver in Houston during the NBPA Mid-Winter Meeting. Many players expected to hear from Mr. Hunter in Houston and have expressed dismay that he has not not been invited by the interim leadership regime -- whose authority to place him on administrative leave is not supported by the union's Constitution or bylaws. Therefore, Mr. Hunter was left with no choice but to communicate with the public in a more direct manner to ensure that his response to the allegations was heard without filter. Billy Hunter

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

According to J.J. Redick, Orlando Magic players have reached a consensus about the fate of Billy Hunter, the embattled executive director of the NBA players union. “I think most everyone in the NBA has reached the same conclusion,” Redick said, “and that’s that we need some change.” Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, JJ Redick, Billy Hunter, NBPA