[LadyCroft]

I see more and more athletes, in all sports, doing this... As long as the money is better in those other sports like it is in hoops.

I don't have a problem with it...it's just business.

[phoenixnash]

Originally Posted by LadyCroft

I see more and more athletes, in all sports, doing this... As long as the money is better in those other sports like it is in hoops.

I don't have a problem with it...it's just business.

The most attractive offer is the fact that some payroll are non-taxable. So even if you get the NBA team matches the offer...that would still lead to about 30-40% difference in taxes.

I think there's good and bad on this issue

The Bad: Most of the players that will be acquired by international would probably be the 4th to 5th option...meaning your sixth man or top bench player will now have an option to be the main guy overseas and make more money. I dont see them going after the superstars. But it would affect some teams that have a decent bench...and most of those teams are gonna be contenders. NBA restrictions does not apply to international offers...therefore the startegy of keeping restricted free agents would now have to consider this to be a big factor. We will also see more divas to come, threatening to play abroad and leaving their teams if they dont get what they want.Lastly, we wont probably see a lot of the Nowitzki, Parker, Ginobili, coming to play in the NBA if they are getting better offers.

The Good: Players especially fading veterans now have other options to play. Guys like Sam Cassell or Gary Payton may not mind going abroad and still make money playing. Now we might see a Euroleague game being televised so we can see the top players and how they play. Some countries can make plaeyers naturalized citizens, and make them play Olympics and the Worlds making it more competitive. That is similar to Becky Hammon playing for Russia in the upcoming Olympics. The good younger players have now an option not to play in college and make money abroad because of the NBA's stupid rule. And they are wondering why these investigations against guys like Mayo happen...well the family has to eat and pay bills. Its good for the game's globalization, which what David Stern have been preaching...but I am damn sure that this is NOT what he wanted to happen.

[MAVSFAN]

Josh Childress may not be the last to sign in Europe, but he may be the biggest name to go to Europe. These are the big names that will be free within the next two years. I doubt any of them go to Europe to play basketball.

2009 Free Agents:

- Jason Kidd
- Allen Iverson
- Richard Hamilton
- Rasheed Wallace
- Kobe Bryant
- Stephon Marbury
- Andre Miller
- Jermaine O'Neal
- Carlos Boozer

2010 Free Agents:

- Ray Allen
- LeBron James
- Ben Wallace
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Tracy McGrady
- Yao Ming
- Dwayne Wade
- Shaq O'Neal
- Steve Nash
- Amare Stoudamire
- Manu Ginobili
- Chris Bosh

The best Europe can hope for is someone like Emeka Okafor from Charlotte. I think that a few Europeans who are bench players and several backups will go, but nobody huge.

[MAVSFAN]

Originally Posted by He Hate Me

Amare is unrestricted in 2010? LMAO. I feel really really bad for Phoenix fans.

Amare, Shaq and Steve Nash.

[Venge™]

Originally Posted by He Hate Me

Amare is unrestricted in 2010? LMAO. I feel really really bad for Phoenix fans.

Cap space isn't a bad thing, especially in 2010.....

[M.W.]

LeBron to Chicago plz.

[phoenixnash]

Originally Posted by He Hate Me

Shaq and Nash will be no good by 2010.

Unless they get paid a boatload I don't see why anyone on that list would want to go to a rebuilding Phoenix franchise.

Shaq...Yes...Nash...maybe not as good as an MVP season but I think he still have a good 3-4 years left. The guy have an exceptional work ethic and he trains a lot even during the summer season. He plays low to the ground so he doesnt need to be jumping or blowing by anybody to create a shot. Besides he plays PG, as long as he can run, dribble, pass and shoot from the outside he will still be effective. The guy was the smallest MVP and he did it twice by being unselfish and playing smart. Nash will be 36 by 2010...John Stockton played until 41 and you never noticed his decline.

Phoenix is not Milwaukee or Memphis...they have good weather and have great fans. And they have a decent management unlike the Clippers. Why wouldnt anyone go to Phoenix? Nash, Shaq, Amare, Kidd, Kevin Johnson, Barkley, all of them HOF played Suns basketball once upon a time. You cant say that to most of the other low market teams...not even Cleveland...espcially with Lebron gone.

[JSL]

Lakers center Andrew Bynum was in Los Angeles earlier this week, working for the Lakers team doctors and was cleared for everything, according to his agent David Lee.
Bynum is now down in Atlanta working out with his personal trainer. The Lakers, Lee said, have a standing invitation to drop in on Bynum down in Atlanta and see his progress.

"He's absolutely fine, he's going to come in as a beast," Lee said. "He's got no atrophy anywhere. The kid's in great shape. Maybe it comes with being 20 years of age."

As for the negotiations on Bynum's contract status, Lee said that the discussions have been tabled until September.

"We aren't going to talk again until September until they have a chance to see what they're getting," Lee said.

"But I don't have any concerns about it." Lee said that once negotiations begin, it was "very important" that the extension be completed by the time the season starts. Lee will be seeking a max (five year, $80 million) extension for his young center. "I know what we want, I know what the rest of the league thinks of Andrew. I just hope the Lakers are on the same page," Lee said.

Bynum, Pau, Lamar, Kobe, Fish = deadly line up . I just hope Lakers give him that contract

[phoenixnash]

Looks like there's another top tier (when healthy) player is going (back) to play overseas. Nenad Krstic who is a restricted free agent has an offer of $10M for 2 years to play in Russia. The Nets who obviously are cutting down their salary cap have an option to sign and trade Nenad...but with Nenad's value going down due to injury... I think it would be better to send him off overseas than to another NBA team.


Pistons are really serious about going back to the Finals by making their biggest move yet... they signed Kwame Brown for 2 years $8M. Maybe Sheed and Maxiell can literally knock the sense out of this lazy bastard during practices and be a better player.

[BobLoblaw™]

Rockets agree to send pick, Greene, Jackson to Kings for Artest

Ron Artest didn't opt out then doubted his decision. It looks like that's a moot point.

NBA front-office sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Artest will be dealt to the Rockets in exchange for Houston's first-round draft pick in 2009, ex-King Bobby Jackson (who arrives with a $6.1 million expiring contract) and the draft rights to Donte Greene. The Kings will also receive more than $1 million in cash, according to The Houston Chronicle, but the deal can't be announced before Aug. 14 because Greene is not eligible to be traded before then.

The trade -- which will reunite Artest with Rick Adelman, one of his favorite coaches -- was first reported by the Chronicle.

"Yes, it has been tentatively agreed upon," said Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, according to KRIV television in Houston. "Now it has to be confirmed by the league office and until that is done, it's not official."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3510261