NBA - Sports Rumors

Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:51 pm EDT

When will the first NBA star bolt for Europe? Some say soon

By Joe Zedalis

Luol Deng

Getty Images

Josh Childress' signing last week with Greek club Olympiacos created shock waves throughout the NBA and beyond. A restricted free agent with the Atlanta Hawks, Childress' departure from the NBA following a season in which he drew Sixth Man of the Year votes raises questions about whether his decision will start a trend.

Seven players on NBA rosters from last season have spurned NBA offers to play in Europe, including Juan Carlos Navarro, Bostjan Nachbar and Carlos Delfino. And California point guard Brandon Jennings signed with Italian club Lottomatica Roma rather than attend Arizona, where he had accepted a scholarship. To be fair, there were issues with Jennings eligibility at Arizona.

While no established star has departed the NBA for an international league yet, with the current strength of the Euro and Childress' surprising move, some league observers predict that move is coming.

The Chicago Tribune reported last week that Olympiacos, while never presenting a formal offer, made overtures to gauge Bulls restricted free agent Luol Deng's interest in leaving the NBA.

Source: Chicago TribuneNew Window

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40 Comments

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  1. trenton d
    1. Posted by trenton d Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

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    deng aint going nowhere
  2. Kenneth M
    2. Posted by Kenneth M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    Let 'em go...deng is way over rated anyway...maybe the pistons can send kwame over seas with their draft picks...what were they thinking.....maybe latreen spreewell will play for euro's...who knows...out
  3. Jamie T
    3. Posted by Jamie T Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    ahhh dammit ...nevermind
  4. Chris B
    4. Posted by Chris B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    its pathetic how terrible the U.S. dollar is...but so is the NBA...so it makes sense
  5. Mr. RT!!!
    5. Posted by Mr. RT!!! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    I agree! Let that overrated player go! For his built, he has no hops or quickness! All he does is shoot jumpers. Don't waste your money. He peaked a couple of years ago....he ain't gettin better!
  6. Nick M
    6. Posted by Nick M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    uummmmmm some say....never. It will never happen. At least not in the likes of the kobe bryant, Lebron James, Carmilo, dirk ect. The best you will see will be really good players. Maybe they would make the all star team because of injuries but thats about it. For true star power? No one.
  7. Travis
    7. Posted by Travis Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:13 pm EDT

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    why don't people just acknowledge that spending a couple years in europe can be a great experience, no matter your profession? these guys have mobility. why not? it's great for their leagues, the fans over there, and the players relocating there. the precious NBA will still be in tact, so relax. i just hope international allure doesn't inflate NBA salaries even more.
  8. Scoops
    8. Posted by Scoops Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    Oh no! Mediocre players are leaving the NBA to get paid big bucks overseas! Give me a break. The Delfino's, Childress', and Nachbar's of the NBA are easily replacebale. Better that they are overpaid somewhere else rather than in the NBA, because these guys obviously aren't as valuable here as they are there.
  9. Edwin
    9. Posted by Edwin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    Let them Go.
  10. Cardinals
    10. Posted by Cardinals Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    It would be nice if the whole league bolted over there!!!!
  11. Claude M
    11. Posted by Claude M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:58 pm EDT

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    All the players mentioned won't draw big money in the US, and the big stars won't leave because they will get bigger money here. This rumor is just crap. The majority of NBA players will resign with their teams. Remember, it is a long offseason.
  12. relax
    12. Posted by relax Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    the top tier of stars, with all the endorsements, won't leave because of the value of endorsements and how those endorsements are tied to the NBA and US marketplace.
    However, losing enough mid level young players could have a negative effect at some point in time i'd imagine. Anytime the overall talent level is reduced, even slightly, it is bad for the league. You can't say that the NBA is better off without the 6 players mentioned.
  13. relax
    13. Posted by relax Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    the top tier of stars, with all the endorsements, won't leave because of the value of endorsements and how those endorsements are tied to the NBA and US marketplace.
    However, losing enough mid level young players could have a negative effect at some point in time i'd imagine. Anytime the overall talent level is reduced, even slightly, it is bad for the league. You can't say that the NBA is better off without the 6 players mentioned.
  14. Douglas c
    14. Posted by Douglas c Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:03 pm EDT

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    the u.s. is going down the crapper. no wonder athletes want to go abroad
  15. Milton A
    15. Posted by Milton A Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

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    why is the nba worried that the reserve players are leaving?? give me a break..they should worry when the kobe's / james / paul / williams leaves the nba ...otherwise it gives more room for other players who really wants to play...
  16. Doseofreality
    16. Posted by Doseofreality Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    i dont see anything wrong with them taking some of our players over seas because we have been doing it to them for a while now... It will only start to make the NBA better by giving it competition. Dont be surprise if they stating putting something in these new players contract that will not allow to go over seas... NBA STEP YOUR GAME UP, before our kids start dreaming of being like Kleidescopian or something instead of wanting to be like Mike...
  17. Rickers
    17. Posted by Rickers Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    It will not be too long until some one huge goes overseas. The money is good and the schedule is not like the NBA. Less games, more money = GOOD STUFF!
    The NBA needs to make sure that the players stay here somehow or we will be watching the Euro league here while they are watching the NBA in Europe
  18. Chicago dude
    18. Posted by Chicago dude Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    Let him go please. Sign someone useful. How about sign him and trade with the Turk in Orlando.
  19. jeezee10
    19. Posted by jeezee10 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    Euro players are going back to the Euro League not only because of the weak dollar but because they realize it is hard to be an NBA star. Think for a moment how many Euro players were able to establish themselves in the NBA. Pau Gasol didn't live up to the Grizzlies' expectations to be their franchise player. Only Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are able to establish their credentials as legit NBA stars from the euro League. Basketball is played differently in the NBA and the Euro League because of the discrepancies in physical and athletic ability. We have yet to see a European player in the mold of His Airness, Kobe, Russell, Chamberlain, Duncan, or Shaq.
    In reply to a comment above, why don't the leagues arrange a series between the NBA and Euro champions played according to NBA rules and then Euro rules. I have no doubt the NBA champs will prevail. The best and physically gifted players are in the NBA, period.
    The NBA will remain the Mecca of basketball and will be the desired destination of players from any country and any color.
  20. lynch
    20. Posted by lynch Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    who cares. good riddance to any player that wants to go. there is a neverending surplus of guys here in the USA willing to play for cheap.
  21. TommyLasorda
    21. Posted by TommyLasorda Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:18 pm EDT

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    Overrated . . . these idiots never see the tools - only the results so far. Let them take Gordon...Please.
  22. lakers_city
    22. Posted by lakers_city Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    if the nba wants to save their star players they should get rid of the salary cap and luxury tax crutch.
  23. 20 cent
    23. Posted by 20 cent Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:59 pm EDT

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    plata talks gentlemen, competition by the euro-league can only make the nba stronger. we need real champs, not the celtics. GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHAMPS 2009.............
  24. TGB
    24. Posted by TGB Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    To #22: In what way is it beneficial to the Bulls to lose Ben Gordon for nothing? Sure, you can say trade Ben Gordon because he's overrated. But there is no compensation for a player going to Europe. You really think this is going to help NBA teams in the long run?
    All this Europe talk is going to drive up prices in the NBA free agent system and thin out the depth in our league. Even though it doesn't seem problematic now, in 5-10 years, we might start feeling the pressure.

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