Given the weak dollar, the NBA is going to have to consider bumping the cap. Why take a mid-level exemption for some crap NBA team when you can get more money and play for a contender? If my options are Salt Lake City and Rome, I'm going with Rome.
It isn't mentioned in the story, but I seem to recall that beyond the higher salary on average, and the strength of the Euro, that there was talk of the Greek taxes being "handled". Childress also has opt out options for the duration of the contract, which would allow him to return to the NBA without much fuss. The only snag to a potential return is that the Hawks still own his rights, and he would remain a restricted free agent, meaning the Hawks only have to make a qualifying offer every year to retain his rights, and that if he signs an offer sheet with another NBA club the Hawks have the right to match. However, with so many big name free agents on the horizon for '09 and '10 it is possible that the Hawks may renounce his rights by not making a qualifying offer, so that they can make a run at another player.
That is fantastic. I think the EuroLeague could poach a lot of talent this way. Add that they can also become a college substitute, so that players not wanting to go to college can play over there. It certainly becomes a lot easier to get talent once a few NBA players play over there and spread the word.
I thought Henry Abbott over at True Hoop had a very good perspective on this. Josh Childress seems more cerebral and open-minded than the typical NBA player, so I'm not sure how likely this is to be the start of a widespread trend. That said, if the economics are good enough, I'm sure folks will be able to get over any culture shock and homesickness pretty quickly.
I thought Henry Abbott over at True Hoop had a very good perspective on this. That he does, but I don't see this becoming a widespread trend among US-born players just yet. International leagues are still stigmatized by mainstream media outlets as inferior in competition, fame & fortune. There are very few players like Sam Clancy, Tyus Edney, Anthony Parker, J.R. Sakuragi, Trajan Langdon, or Josh Childress who can turn down the lure of the NBA and acclimate themselves to another culture.
International leagues are still stigmatized by mainstream media outlets as inferior in competition If the US doesn't beat some ass in the Olympics, can we finally put that to rest?
If the US doesn't beat some ass in the Olympics, can we finally put that to rest? Dear God I hope so. Oh, did anyone catch this nugget from Hawks GM Rick Sund?
"We were informed this morning by Josh Childress' representatives that he has signed with Olympiakos in Greece, and we want to wish him the absolute best with his future career in FIBA." [...] The fact is Atlanta's offer was the best Childress could get - in the NBA. Atlanta chose not to compete with the offer from Olympiacos Piraeus. "I can only compete in the league I play in," justified Sund.
And on the heels of Childress jumping into European waters comes news that Rockets forward
Carl Landry is contemplating doing the same.
"I can only compete in the league I play in," justified Sund. F-. If he means he's constrained by the salary cap, fine. But it sounds like he means he doesn't even bother considering anyone but the NBA. Great work. If Josh Childress were a replacement-level NBA player, it'd be one thing. But to let a decent talent go when you have leverage in signing him, at least blame it on the cap.
But it sounds like he means he doesn't even bother considering anyone but the NBA. Yup, thats exactly what he's saying. Does Stern care one way or the other whether teams are bidding against other leagues for talent? So long as they work within the confines of the cap, I sincerely doubt it.
