Biedrins and Vujacic going to Europe next?
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:34 am
Two more big names are rumored to be in the mix to head over to Europe now. Vujacic and Biedrins.
This is getting pretty crazy. I have a feeling that neither will end up in Europe, but Biedrins leaving would be much more significant than Childress IMO. Even though he isn't american-born. He's a more valuable piece than Childress.
The Contra Costa Times' Marcus Thompson reports that several European teams are interested in Warriors center Andris Biedrins, and are said to be in hot pursuit of the unsigned big man.
Russian teams are said to be willing to offer Biedrins, a native of Latvia, somewhere in the neighborhood of three- to five-year deals worth about $10 million per season. And Thompson speculates that the best offer the Warriors will throw out there might be six years and $48 million. It's possible the exodus of Josh Childress from the NBA might get the Warriors to up the ante, but it's also possible that Biedrins could continue the trend of solid NBA players bolting for Europe. And if it happens, Ronny Turiaf, Al Harrington or Kosta Perovic might be starting in the middle for Don Nelson.
Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic is prepared to leave the team and accept an offer from a European team in the next few days if the Lakers don't make him an offer he deems fair, according to a source.
The source said Vujacic is seeking a multiyear deal from the Lakers averaging about $5 million a year. Vujacic was hoping for a six-year deal, but anticipated it could be a shorter contract. If Vujacic goes overseas, and it's a real possibility, the Lakers will certainly miss his outside shooting. Their depth will also be hurt by the loss of Ronny Turiaf and Vujacic. And with the trend of solid NBA players heading out of the country and the referee scandal, David Stern is going to have his hands full in the upcoming months.
This is getting pretty crazy. I have a feeling that neither will end up in Europe, but Biedrins leaving would be much more significant than Childress IMO. Even though he isn't american-born. He's a more valuable piece than Childress.