The rule only applies during the playoffs. If your talking about the first week of the new season then you have to pay the wages.
In return, players have agreed to only take a salary during weeks when their teams play at least one competitive league game. Teams finishing in 5th and 8th place will pay no salaries during both weeks of the playoffs, and teams eliminated from the playoffs will pay no salaries in the second playoff week. Teams in a relegation series will only pay second week salaries if they end up playing a decisive game during the second week.
Correct me if I'm wrong but in the week from ??? April to ??? April no team will play any league or playoff game, right?