OT: Impact of Childress

[Al n' Perk No Layups!]

No impact at all. Childress left because he was getting huge money that no one in their right mind would offer him over here. Childress is a limited bench player over here, in Europe he's a franchise player. You won't see KG or LeBron or Wade leaving for Europe because NBA teams will offer these guys massive money, because they are worth it.

Childress is a nice player, but in the NBA he's only worth about 3-4 million, five mil is stretching it. Childress is not a difference maker in the NBA, in Europe he is. That's why he got the money and that's why he left. NBA players who are difference makers will get paid, their teams won't let Europe out bid them.

[Al n' Perk No Layups!]

Well, Childress got $20 million NET in Europe for 3 years, so the difference is huge!

And if Lebron or some other big star was prepared to go to Europe there are definitely owners who would offer him 20, 30 million € or whatever would take...

But the difference is every owner in the league would be willing to match whatever LeBron gets offered. No owner was willing to give Chilldress anywhere near what he was getting offered.

[DynastyInTheMaking]

Jennings will have more of an impact than Childress. Younger players will migrate to Europe for big bucks, particularly players out of high school and then return to the States. At the same time European vets will make their way back to Europe, like Navarro, Brezec and Nachbar, in order to get paid more. I'm rather surprised Ukic is coming over here. This will affect the NBA game maybe for the better as most Europeans are seen as pure shooters and not great defenders.

Since he can opt out after every year and teams over here will have more space over the next few years, I doubt Childress will play all 3 years.

Restricted free agency is partly to blame for this, however, the NBA wont do away with it. They need to add in what the NFL has where if you sign a teams restricted FA, you get a draft pick from them.

[TheSheriff]

Well, Childress got $20 million NET in Europe for 3 years, so the difference is huge!

And if Lebron or some other big star was prepared to go to Europe there are definitely owners who would offer him 20, 30 million € or whatever would take...

30 million euros is probably more than most teams entire payroll.

I could see Lebron going to Europe for some ludicrous dollar figure 13 or 14 years from now when he is about ready to retire; kinda similar to Beckham going to LA.

[3pt %]

It started a few years ago with the draft picks staying overseas.

Then the Euro players started going back home.

Now high schoolers and mid range players are starting to go.

Add a few more years, a weaker US $ and then it may be getting interesting. I can particularly see promising rookies getting offered more than the rookie scale and some going over.

Two way street now, nothing wrong with that.

[rambo_ortega]

i can see marbury playing there after getting waived by the knicks.

[SuperDeluxe]

I didn't read anything about it here in the northern hemisphere, but Carlos Delfino (formerly of the Pistons and Raptors) has just signed a 3-year, $20MM USD contract with a Russian team. Much like Childress, he can opt-out after the first year. He also mentioned that the taxes in Russia are much lower than in the US and Canada, which makes his contract even more attractive.

These guys are role players here, but they are going to be the man over there. Considering the size of some of these guys' egos, I'm sure being the man also plays a big part in their decision to bolt.

[rperez2007]

In sports, athletes need to cash in as soon as they get the chance. You never know what may happen. Playing an extra year for pennies and hoping to get a good contract after that is not wise.

As for the trend, I don't think big time stars like Lebron etc. will be going to Europe any time soon. But second tier players may find better money and better roles elsewhere.

[GuyClinch]

Childress is just a sign that your "B" Players may find more money in Europe. Before it was your "C" players guys who MIGHT stick in the NBA. Now it's solid rotation guys leaving. If this trend continues I guess stars might leave. Stern only has himself to blame..

[Truthiracy]

I hope it becomes a trend-to weaken other teams. The moment a player leaves Boston for Greece..well I doubt that would even happen in the first place. Atlanter has a history of not caring about their players, I'd leave them too if I were Josh.

[tombattor]

Childress is just a sign that your "B" Players may find more money in Europe. Before it was your "C" players guys who MIGHT stick in the NBA. Now it's solid rotation guys leaving. If this trend continues I guess stars might leave. Stern only has himself to blame..

Come on now. Childress is a "C" player. He's a borderline starter in the NBA. It's as what most people here are saying. No one in the NBA is offering Childress as a bench player anything near what he'll be paid in Europe as the main man.

We've seen this a lot in baseball and in European soccer. And we all know how well those 2 leagues are doing. Only thing it will do is increase popularity of the sport in those countries.

[Athanacropolis]

Childress is just a sign that your "B" Players may find more money in Europe. Before it was your "C" players guys who MIGHT stick in the NBA. Now it's solid rotation guys leaving. If this trend continues I guess stars might leave. Stern only has himself to blame..

Come on now. Childress is a "C" player. He's a borderline starter in the NBA. It's as what most people here are saying. No one in the NBA is offering Childress as a bench player anything near what he'll be paid in Europe as the main man.

We've seen this a lot in baseball and in European soccer. And we all know how well those 2 leagues are doing. Only thing it will do is increase popularity of the sport in those countries.

Very well said, tombattor. To me, the potential downside to players like Childress signing overseas (although it's to Greece, woo hoo!) is that teams looking to put together a contender with a legitimate bench will have a harder time finding quality role-players, which might weaken the league.

Yes, I'm extrapolating that there will be a mass exodus of mid-level talent overseas, but I think you can all understand my point.

Either way, go get paid Josh.

[Collinto]

More information to continue this discussion...

Still a long shot, but it let's us know what may be possible. Maybe its more possible than some may admit.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/53840/20080801/olympiakos_could_make_run_at_lebron/#