NBA Players Going Overseas

[MPM]

I know this is lockout related, so feel free to merge with the lockout thread, but if players make good on their promises/threats to play in Europe/Asia, I figure we need a separate thread to track/discuss.

So, first question - is it just me, or does the swell of marquee names publicly professing a willingness to play overseas seem a bit too orchestrated? Especially with Stoudemire doing a publicized recant of his initial unwillingness to go overseas - seems like he may have been slapped on the wrist by the union.

Also, who do you think is the most likely American, marquee name to actually go play overseas? I just don't see Deron Williams playing in Turkey, no matter how much he says its a real consideration.

[fatlever]

i think they are all bluffing at this point... at least the american stars.

i do expect lots of fringe american free agents to entertain offers overseas and i certainly expect a few of the international players to return home.

[Elden Payton]

Spot on fats, the threat is definitely a bargaining hip.

As for the Euro's going back to Euroball it would probably be more lucrative for them anyway ie, Fernandez & Kirilenko.

[MPM]

I really don't want to see the season impacted, but at this point I think it's inevitable. If losing games is unavoidable, I almost hope that the owners call the players bluff on this overseas charade. I would love to see who has the cajones to leave NBA money on the table to go play in Istanbul or China. Hunter's public endorsement of players going overseas yesterday just confirms that this is a bargaining stunt and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I've never been a fan of negotiating through the media and so far the owners seem to be doing a better job of keeping things behind closed doors.

Like you say though Sik, some of the Euros could probably benefit from going overseas, even though clubs have been balking at some of the asking prices (in the case of AK47 specifically)

[e4Nf6]

I wouldn't dismiss the players going to Europe so quickly. These guys like to travel and European teams have enough money to tempt them over. I've always thought Kobe would play a season or two in Italy when he's in his 40s and the NBA has been pulled from his cold dead hands. Some of the Euros or guys on rookie deals would get paid more (in the short term anyway) to go play abroad.

I don't think large numbers of players will do it, but a few might.

And the union is definitely advertising this in the media as much as they can, but what do you expect. I don't think that the plan is that everyone just goes and plays in Europe until the owners see the light.

I actually that someday it will be normal for over-the-hill NBA stars to go play a few years overseas after their NBA career is over. That's the way it has been in Soccer for a long time. In the past, foreign teams couldn't pay enough to catch the attention of NBA players, but now they can.

[captaincrunk]

If the players don't show that they at least have other options, then they have nothing to stand on. I fully support this.

[MPM]

If the players don't show that they at least have other options, then they have nothing to stand on. I fully support this.

Crunk, I just don't think it's a real option for most - therefore I find it disingenuous and a flimsy bargaining tactic. Time will tell, but my prediction is that no marquee player goes to play overseas - they say they're serious about it (I'm looking at you D-will), but I doubt any of them are willing to take the risk - and it is a big risk. My guess is that the owners understand that this is purely posturing. Believe me, I understand the players putting it out there, but I don't think it really helps their cause...they're not scaring any of the owners with it.

[Bizz]

Well I have been giving this idea a lot of thought and players going to Europe or China would be the best thing that could happen for basketball. If Howard plays in China, Kobe in Italy, ect. the popularity of the sport world wide would rise and the popularity of NBA after the lockout would also rise at least internationally.

But here is the problem with Europe. Serious teams like CSKA, Barcelona, Maccabi,... They won't sing none of the stars that are looking for a temporary job. These teams are good enough financially and in other aspects that they won't build their team for someone who might skip before New Years. They might sing some mid level FAs who would play the whole season before returning to NBA.

That leaves make belive clubs like Besiktas (I don't know where they get all the money) that will offer big $ but are poorly run clubs with no tradition. This will be a disaster for everybody. Players would learn rather quickly why the CBA and all the structured rules are good for the players. In Europe if team is not preforming up to expectations paychecks stop coming real quick, especially for teams like Besiktas or russian clubs (apart from CSKA) that are just throwing money at players and expect instant results.

But I could see some of the Europeans or a guy like KObe (he is part owner of AJ Milano) play for their original teams for a fraction of what they make in NBA just to stay in shape. I know Goran Dragić talked about playing for my team Olimpija but has stated that he will wait until EC is finished to make a decision.

[captaincrunk]

If the players don't show that they at least have other options, then they have nothing to stand on. I fully support this.

Crunk, I just don't think it's a real option for most - therefore I find it disingenuous and a flimsy bargaining tactic. Time will tell, but my prediction is that no marquee player goes to play overseas - they say they're serious about it (I'm looking at you D-will), but I doubt any of them are willing to take the risk - and it is a big risk. My guess is that the owners understand that this is purely posturing. Believe me, I understand the players putting it out there, but I don't think it really helps their cause...they're not scaring any of the owners with it.

You don't think making 5 million dollars is a real option for these guys?

Int'l teams would start opening up in the US that obeyed foreign rules, most likely. It won't likely occur at all, but you need the possibility of it happening.

Also, there's no risk, no special one anyway.

[MPM]

If the players don't show that they at least have other options, then they have nothing to stand on. I fully support this.

Crunk, I just don't think it's a real option for most - therefore I find it disingenuous and a flimsy bargaining tactic. Time will tell, but my prediction is that no marquee player goes to play overseas - they say they're serious about it (I'm looking at you D-will), but I doubt any of them are willing to take the risk - and it is a big risk. My guess is that the owners understand that this is purely posturing. Believe me, I understand the players putting it out there, but I don't think it really helps their cause...they're not scaring any of the owners with it.

You don't think making 5 million dollars is a real option for these guys?

Int'l teams would start opening up in the US that obeyed foreign rules, most likely. It won't likely occur at all, but you need the possibility of it happening.

Also, there's no risk, no special one anyway.

So, maybe I downplayed the opportunity a bit, but I think you're downplaying the risk. The big question is - can an NBA team void the contract of an NBA player who gets injured playing overseas? Also, playing for Euro clubs can often turn into a financial goat rodeo, with players not getting paid, etc...

For instance, this article touting D-will signing to play in Turkey:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_ ... lay-turkey

Was followed by this article about the Turkey club D-will signed with having their assets frozen:

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... nts_Frozen

[captaincrunk]

Crunk, I just don't think it's a real option for most - therefore I find it disingenuous and a flimsy bargaining tactic. Time will tell, but my prediction is that no marquee player goes to play overseas - they say they're serious about it (I'm looking at you D-will), but I doubt any of them are willing to take the risk - and it is a big risk. My guess is that the owners understand that this is purely posturing. Believe me, I understand the players putting it out there, but I don't think it really helps their cause...they're not scaring any of the owners with it.

You don't think making 5 million dollars is a real option for these guys?

Int'l teams would start opening up in the US that obeyed foreign rules, most likely. It won't likely occur at all, but you need the possibility of it happening.

Also, there's no risk, no special one anyway.

So, maybe I downplayed the opportunity a bit, but I think you're downplaying the risk. The big question is - can an NBA team void the contract of an NBA player who gets injured playing overseas?

They can't even void the contract of a player who "trips on a gym bad and breaks his hand".

Plus the idea is that if there can be no good deal between the two sides, the players would Bolster foreign ranks and there would be new teams created here to play in other leages, and revenues would climb overseas (drop here) and eventually equalize. It wouldn't terrible for basketball long term either.

Also, playing for Euro clubs can often turn into a financial goat rodeo, with players not getting paid, etc...

But guys like Kobe have cuttthroat agents and legal teams, it would shake out.

For instance, this article touting D-will signing to play in Turkey:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_ ... lay-turkey

Was followed by this article about the Turkey club D-will signed with having their assets frozen:

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... nts_Frozen

That's because they fixed a soccer game.

[MPM]

Sorry, Crunk - but NBA players can have their contracts voided if they are injured playing overseas. The union will raise all sorts of hell about it, but it is a real risk, even to the point where Hunter has "advised players to "secure appropriate protection" — insurance — "to guard against any injury or unforeseen circumstances.""

Check this out from Dime:
http://dimemag.com/2011/07/nba-players- ... eat-risks/

"One great misnomer is that a player is just as at risk of a contract-voiding injury playing at Pauley Pavilion or in some other offseason pick-up game as playing overseas.

“Couldn’t be further from the truth,” says agent Mark Bartlestein, whose agency, Priority Sports & Entertainment, has nearly 40 NBA clients and two dozen players overseas, including Songaila. “Every NBA player contract that I’m aware of has language in it that allows them to play pick-up basketball. But you’re not protected if you’re playing in a summer league, charity game or for a team in Europe. For a player who is in a big-time lucrative contract, there’s tremendous risk.”"

Regarding $$$, the marquee players like D-will and Kobe will undoubtedly get paid, but fringe NBA players better not be banking on it...getting paid in places like Turkey and Greece is a chronic problem - not limited to the latest soccer scandal - check out this post about Besitkas:

http://www.bloguin.com/crossoverchronic ... pears.html

"Besiktas' basketball branch always had problems when it comes to payments to players," Turkish reporter Mete Aktas told HoopsHype. "I can't remember a single season for the past 3-4 years that the players' wages are paid on time and fully.

"There were several occasions last season and in 2009-10 where some of the players skipped practices and boycotted the team management. In the summer of 2010, the management prohibited three players who were under contract at the time to enter training facilities. Why? Because they had submitted an official protest note to the club to pay them their delayed payments."

Like I said, there are real risks.

[captaincrunk]

There are real short term risks, but long term things would shake out. This would take ages and ages to explain, even in person...