ESPN.com reported this week that an unidentified person close to LeBron James said the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar would consider playing in Europe for $50 million a year when he’s eligible to opt out of his contract after the 2009-10 season.
Weather it's true or not the question is. "Should NBA fear a mass exodus of talent to Europe?
Far-fetched? Impossible? Perhaps, but the steady stream this summer of American players heading to Europe, where the euro dwarfs the dollar, the salary cap doesn’t apply and the game is rapidly improving, has changed the dynamic of player movement in the NBA.
“The European market has been growing year by year and it’s certainly been a hope of ours that it would become a viable alternative for players,” agent Mark Bartelstein said Wednesday. “The luxury tax in the NBA has put a crimp on what teams can spend, so players are looking for alternatives.”
Josh Childress started the trend last month, when the restricted free agent grew tired of Atlanta’s bargaining and signed a three-year deal with Greek club Olympiakos worth about $20 million after taxes. Because the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement only applies to the league’s teams, the Hawks couldn’t match the offer. Atlanta lost its sixth man from last season and got nothing in return.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns
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08-06-2008, 11:23 PM
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