Dallas Mavericks players will get the chance to weigh in on the divisive comments made by President Donald Trump and their feelings on the United States.
The effort is being encouraged by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who said it would offer a clear message to fans on where the players stand.
"If they would want to have, as a team, their feelings aired on our JumboTron before a game rather than trying to make a point through a secondary action, whether it's taking knees, joining arms, whatever it may be, let's just say what's on our mind and just be clear to fans what we think," Cuban told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Monday, "and if we can take it from there and start a discussion in our community, then that's a good thing."
The Mavericks are one of several teams holding their media day on Monday. Questions about Trump's comments about standing for the national anthem are likely to be pervasive.
Dirk Nowitzki called the current climate "disappointing" while Harrison Barnes said he was surprised that Trump singled out the Warriors' Stephen Curry.
"It's tough times for everyone, divisive times," Nowitzki said. "You've got to do your best to stick together and promote love and all the good stuff instead of only bad stuff in the news. That's where I'm at."
Said Barnes: "It was surprising that with everything going on in the world that he would take the time to single out Steph's White House invite -- not Steph, but specifically his White House invite. It was bizarre, but at the end of the day, it's still sad that a year after [Colin] Kaepernick took that knee we're still not talking about the actual issue which he took the knee for: police brutality and systematic racism and things like that. It's unfortunate that we're still talking about kneeling. ... In fact, now it's made more about Trump than what the actual cause was."
After deadly protests involving white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, last month, Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale has been actively trying to get Confederate symbols such as monuments removed from his city. On Monday, Fizdale said it was Trump who should stand accused of disrespecting military members, not athletes who protest in various ways.
"Look at what he's doing with North Korea putting our troops in danger right now instigating a war," Fizdale said. "You know how many troops we have in South Korea and Japan that's in direct line with where this guy can fire missiles? Obviously the Gold Star family that lost their son ... I can keep going on this, guys, you know that.
"So when we talk about disrespecting our military, people need to take a look back at who's really disrespecting our military and who's really honoring our military by exercising their rights."
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores released a statement early Monday that did not specifically mention Trump but says "America's most treasured values include equality and diversity, and the right to effect change through peaceful expression and thoughtful debate." Gores also said he will support the Pistons players and their right to thoughtfully raise awareness to various causes.
Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens said during the team's media day on Monday that the organization supports its players' right to protest peacefully and promote change.
"I've said this from day one: I knew all the great things about the NBA when I got into it, but I think I've been more pleasantly surprised by not only the leadership within the league, but just how all the players, they're great leaders for young people in basketball," Stevens said. "So when I watch LeBron [James] and watch Steph and listen to [Steve] Kerr, you're proud to be a part of that. Ultimately, each of our players will choose that."
Cuban has been an outspoken critic of Trump since the president started his campaign, including tweets that have questioned Trump's policies and character.
He also has teased possible presidential and vice presidential runs, though he has made no formal effort to pursue office.
In his comments to CNBC, Cuban said Trump needs to be able to take the blowback to his rhetoric.
"If he's going to dish it out, he's got to be able to take it," Cuban said. "I don't expect him to apologize, but if this is the new presidency, where our president wants to mix it up, and obviously he does, whether it's North Korea -- God help us -- or sports or me or public figures or anybody, then this is the new reality we live in, and that makes him fair game."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.