The President of the Player's Association, Derek Fisher, will rejoin the NBA's Labor negotiations on Friday in hopes that a deal can finally be reached to end the NBA's ongoing lockout. Games have already been cancelled through December, but if an agreement is reached this weekend a shortened (66 games) season would start on December 25.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has the scoop:

Representatives of the owners and players spoke on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the possible settlement of the players' recent antitrust lawsuits - which would essentially be an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. It is felt that Fisher's appearance is needed to reach an agreement on a deal.

There is however, potential downside for the players last-ditch effort to save the season. Some players believe there's a possibility NBA Commissioner, David Stern, may be using these recent talks just to gain leverage on the players in court – regarding the anti-trust suit – proving that the disbanding of the union wasn't for the purpose of filing an antitrust suit, but to get a leg up in labor negotiations. 

Although it seems ultimatums and do-or-die's are thrown out every time the two sides get together, this weekend may really be the final opportunity to salvage the 2011-12 NBA season.