Josh Childress signs with Olympiakos of Greece

[Brickowski]

So much for the theory that only "washed up" or "fringe" players will go to Europe.  And so much for the assertions that the Hawks would have been willing to match any offer for Childress. They had full Bird rights and could have matched this one, but didn't.

It will be very interesting to see what happens in 2010 when the Dwayne Wades and LeBron Jameses of the world can opt out of their deals.  Those wealthy European teams willing to pay big money in Euros instead of devalued American funny money (not to mention the tax advantages) will be hovering like vultures over a dying NBA cow.

[guava_wrench]

So much for the theory that only "washed up" or "fringe" players will go to Europe.  And so much for the assertions that the Hawks would have been willing to match offers for Childress.

They might have to adjust the CBA for this situation. Atl can only match NBA offers, but their hands are tied if an offer is made from outside the league. A few more defections like this and the concept of a qualifying offer might have to be ditched.

I imagine that if Childress ever wants to return to the NBA, he is still bound by the qualifying offer and would be an RFA - anyone know the scoop?

[footey]

tommy point to triple OT-very funny!!

[Who]

I imagine that if Childress ever wants to return to the NBA, he is still bound by the qualifying offer and would be an RFA - anyone know the scoop?

Yes he'd still be a restricted free agent for Atlanta.

Like Ilyasova was this year for Milwaukee on ESPN's 2008 Free Agent list.

[guava_wrench]

I imagine that if Childress ever wants to return to the NBA, he is still bound by the qualifying offer and would be an RFA - anyone know the scoop?

Yes he'd still be a restricted free agent for Atlanta.

Like Ilyasova was this year for Milwaukee on ESPN's 2008 Free Agent list.

Does that mean that when he's 45 and finishes his European career, he can finally accept the qualifying offer and the Hawks would be obliged to pay him? Cool.

[blake]

Though the dollar is going to make a small comeback in the next few months, LL brings up a good point.  If you can go over there and make more money, plus some multiplier because of the weak dollar it only makes sense.  A player like JChill will do really well over there and make serious cash while his basketball career is starting to peak.

[Petro]

Fellas this is starting to look like a new era in Basketball. Slowly but surely the euro leagues are starting to attract NBA american born talent over seas. I believe there will be major changes to the way NBA does business in the long run and some type of intergration of a Euro-NBA league championships is imenant I believe. It will would be too profitable for David Stern and the NBA not to get involved with these euro teams some way or another.

[Weird Facts]

i think thats a stupid move. financially smart, but playing wise, he won't become as good now that he's in europe, playing euro style basketball. he could have had a nice home in the nba... and got [dang] people, its not like even the vet min is no money at all; these players are making millions regardless.

Are you even serious?

The dude is getting more than 7 Mil a year to play over seas and basically gets a chance to see the world.

I'm surprised more NBA players don't do this.

[crownsy]

well thats not exactly a ringing endorsment of the youth movement in atlanta now is it? 

[Robb]

Josh Childress is my gyro. 

Bravo.  Although the first time I read it I scanned it quickly and thought it said "Josh Childress is my gyno."

[Who]

So who was worried about NBA teams not having enough quality depth on their rosters these days?

[Robb]

Atl can only match NBA offers, but their hands are tied if an offer is made from outside the league. A few more defections like this and the concept of a qualifying offer might have to be ditched.

I think the point that Brickowski was making was that Atlanta had the ability to give him any amount of money and chose not to "match" the money that Olympiakos is giving him.  If Josh wanted to stay in America, you'd think he'd go back to the Hawks and say "They want me for this much" and the Hawks would then "match" the money.

[Fan from VT]

So much for the theory that only "washed up" or "fringe" players will go to Europe.  And so much for the assertions that the Hawks would have been willing to match offers for Childress.

They might have to adjust the CBA for this situation. Atl can only match NBA offers, but their hands are tied if an offer is made from outside the league. A few more defections like this and the concept of a qualifying offer might have to be ditched.

I imagine that if Childress ever wants to return to the NBA, he is still bound by the qualifying offer and would be an RFA - anyone know the scoop?

Except that when Childress said "hey, i'm about to sign this offer" Atlanta could have used their bird rights to offer him an equivalent contract. Once he signs, atlanta can't match, but when they were aware that he was going to, but before he actually inked, they could offer anything up to the max. they didn't need to wait for an offer from someone else to offer him a fair deal. more poor planning from the atlanta organization. Contraction!


looks like robb beat me by about 8 seconds.

[Redz]

Josh Childress is my gyro. 

[Gainesville Celtic]

Fellas this is starting to look like a new era in Basketball. Slowly but surely the euro leagues are starting to attract NBA american born talent over seas. I believe there will be major changes to the way NBA does business in the long run and some type of intergration of a Euro-NBA league championships is imenant I believe. It will would be too profitable for David Stern and the NBA not to get involved with these euro teams some way or another.

It may well be a new era --- but i think there was similar sentiment when Brian Shaw and Danny Ferry "defected" in the early-90s.


Rather than European expansion, which i fear is in the NBA's plans, I think it would behoove the NBA to establish a real 1:1 triple-A farm system, with a resultant expansion of the Salary cap and modification of the salary rookie scale (esp. the restricted FA part).

It would keep the best talent in the NBA, and create more jobs for players like Dee Brown and Anthony Parker to keep them from having to go overseas. I imagine 90% of players would rather stay in the US and  play. for roughly equal money.