Report: NBA's flopping rule could be headed to arbitration

The National Basketball Players Association may seek arbitration for the flopping rule. (Paul Connors/Associated Press)

The National Basketball Players Association is seeking arbitration to get more clarification on the flopping rule, trying to let a court to decide if the league can even discipline players for such an offense, reports CBSSports.com.

Currently, first-time floppers receive a warning from the league. Repeat floppers are fined $5,000 for the second offense, $10,000 for the third, $15,000 for the fourth and $30,000 for the fifth. Players are subject to additional fines or suspensions after that.

19 players received flopping warnings last season and five of those were fined $5,000 each for second offenses, including Omer Asik, J.J. Barea, Reggie Evans, Kevin Martin and Gerald Wallace. In the playoffs, a first offense resulted in an automatic $5,000 fine and eight players were fined.

 "We are now in the process of scheduling a case with our arbitrator to determine whether the NBA is allowed to unilaterally impose discipline in an area that exceeds the commissioner's authority without the consent of the union," NBPA interim executive director Ron Klempner said. "It's a subject they need to bargain with us, and we hope that the arbitrator will find that any type of discipline must be collectively bargained."