Each player would lose a year on his contract which would shake up NBA rosters even more.

FORBES: NBA Lockout: Why NBA Owners Shouldn't Listen to NHL Owners

The league is a proven developer of talent with 20 percent of players on 2012-13 NBA opening-day rosters having NBA D-League experience.

ENGADGET: YouTube's biggest sports deal so far will bring live NBA D-League games starting Friday

While a couple of superstars can carry an NBA club for years, an NFL franchise deals with large rosters and high annual turnover.

FORBES: Elway is Face of Broncos Once Again

Last season, NBA teams featured 78 international players from 39 countries and territories on team rosters.

FORBES: The 2012 NBA Pre-Season Kicks Off With Seven International Games Aimed At Increasing The League's Global Presence

Revenues at the NBA were only about 20% higher than the NHL last season, but basketball teams have smaller rosters and the league is built on showcasing its stars, who are highly compensated.

FORBES: Sidney Crosby Tops List Of The NHL's Highest-Paid Players

Players can pick from a number of NBA stars since the game has an NBA license, while create-a-player and create-a-team modes will let gamers build custom rosters.

CNN: First look: NBA Hoopz