We all knew Brandon Jennings eschewing the college game or NBDL for an opportunity to make money playing professionally in Europe would ignite a trend. More NBA caliber talent coming out of high school who aren't interested in college with bypass the system David Stern has tried to establish and develop their game elsewhere. What we didn't expect was Jennings to start a trend for NBA veterans still in the prime of their career.
Via Ball Don't Lie, Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Atlanta Hawks' Josh Childress is seriously considering a 3-year, $20 million deal to play professionally in Greece.
Childress, just 25, has apparently become so distressed by the Hawks inability to extend him a reasonable offer or merely a sign-and-trade, that playing for Olympiakos in Greece is almost a done deal.
Childress is a restricted free agent, but the Hawks would have no matching rights with a FIBA contract. Olympiakos’ offer also would allow Childress the opportunity to return to the NBA over the next two summers. The Hawks would maintain his restricted free-agent rights provided they make him a qualifying offer.Hey, why not? A 3-year, $20 million deal is incredibly attractive given the current state of the dollar, and the Greece team will cover all Greek taxes. Not to mention, the seasons are much shorter and beaches are aplenty.
Childress’ agent, Lon Babby, has instead looked to Europe to create leverage for his client, a unique approach that would have seemed unlikely as recently as three years ago. The U.S. dollar’s declining value compared to the Euro, coupled with the influx of money from Russian owners into the Euroleague, has now made Europe a much more attractive option for players.
Childress wouldn't be the first name to bolt for Europe this summer, but his name is the biggest. If he were to do so, you wonder how many more players will follow next summer? Then again, the free agent markets will get better and better in the next few years.
Josh Childress might jet to Greece, will others follow? [Ball Don't Lie]
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