http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-nbaeurope072308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

“In the next four or five years, could I end up playing over there?” (Jason)Kidd wondered. “Hey, why wouldn’t I play in Italy or somewhere (else)? That might be a great experience.

 

“It’s a legitimate option now with (Josh) Childress going over there.”

 

 

Interesting read and thought. Will Europe become a viable option for aging NBA stars that feel they are getting short changed by the NBA owners? Josh Childress basically left because he felt he was being shorted by NBA teams.

 

Thoughts?

With the economic troubles facing the nation, going to play in Europe is an option that will become very interesting for guys like Childress.

 

While I don't see it as much of a threat for the "one and done" crowd, this is a topic of much more interest...

Players who have said no thanks to NBA teams just this summer to get paid better over seas:

 

Josh Childress, Juan Carlos Navarro, Tiago Splitter, Bostjan Nachbar, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Loren Woods, Primoz Brezec and Carlos Delfino.

 

 

BTW, this HURTS the Hawks...

Good read. Very interesting.

Well, Miami’s Dwyane Wade laughed as he delivered a baseline bid to leave the NBA in the summer of 2010. “Thirty million a season, non-taxable?” Wade said. “I might have to think about it.”

 

I could see this happening.

With the economic troubles facing the nation, going to play in Europe is an option that will become very interesting for guys like Childress.

 

While I don't see it as much of a threat for the "one and done" crowd, this is a topic of much more interest...

Do European players get paid more? There economies pretty much stink too. I am actually wondering.

Well, Miami’s Dwyane Wade laughed as he delivered a baseline bid to leave the NBA in the summer of 2010. “Thirty million a season, non-taxable?” Wade said. “I might have to think about it.”

 

I could see this happening.

I don't see how it is non-taxable.

I could see some of our older players migrating to Europe to play ball if they can no longer demand a high wage here. Similar to David Beckham.

If I was an older player, I would find a way to work myself into an organizations such as Michael Jordan and still be a part of the NBA game. For me that is basically because I wouldn't wanna leave all my friends and family...but that is just me.

I don't see how it is non-taxable.

 

The teams in Europe pay the taxes.

There are 3 scenarios where I could see a big name guy go over and say no to the NBA.

 

1. Let's say an All-Star but not a superstar (Caron Butler, for example) goes to free agency. A European team could offer tax free 8 yrs., $100 million. Maybe he thinks about it.

 

2. Let's say an aging All-Star (Jason Kidd) is coming up on free agency and he is getting 2 year deals from NBA teams. If a European team offered 5 yrs and $80 million, maybe he thinks about it.

 

3. Kobe Bryant wins another title without Shaq, feels like he has nothing to prove and is 36 or 37. Maybe an European team offers him a 5yr and $100 million deal just to get his name in Europe. He was born in Italy, I believe and I know he speaks fluent Italian and grew up for some time there. Maybe he thinks about it.

There are 3 scenarios where I could see a big name guy go over and say no to the NBA.

 

1. Let's say an All-Star but not a superstar (Caron Butler, for example) goes to free agency. A European team could offer tax free 8 yrs., $100 million. Maybe he thinks about it.

 

2. Let's say an aging All-Star (Jason Kidd) is coming up on free agency and he is getting 2 year deals from NBA teams. If a European team offered 5 yrs and $80 million, maybe he thinks about it.

 

3. Kobe Bryant wins another title without Shaq, feels like he has nothing to prove and is 36 or 37. Maybe an European team offers him a 5yr and $100 million deal just to get his name in Europe. He was born in Italy, I believe and I know he speaks fluent Italian and grew up for some time there. Maybe he thinks about it.

 

who knows!

The teams in Europe pay the taxes.

:thumb: Did not know that, thanks. Unfortunately, he would still have to pay American income taxes for the money that he makes overseas.

:thumb: Did not know that, thanks. Unfortunately, he would still have to pay American income taxes for the money that he makes overseas.

 

His team can repay him for that bill as well. My understanding is his money is completely "tax free" because the team picks up any income tax liabilities.

Very intersesting, I hope players stay over here. Does anyone think players would be percieved alot different after there careers if they went over there?

 

3. Kobe Bryant wins another title without Shaq, feels like he has nothing to prove and is 36 or 37. Maybe an European team offers him a 5yr and $100 million deal just to get his name in Europe. He was born in Italy, I believe and I know he speaks fluent Italian and grew up for some time there. Maybe he thinks about it.

 

Kobe wins another title without Shaq? Did I miss something?

 

We all know Kobe can't win without Shaq.

 

 

 

And ESPN is reporting that the Lakers' Sasha Vujavic (or however you spell it) is considering playing in Europe if he doesn't get a "fair" offer from the Lakers.