Within two weeks, the NCAA and the NBA have been told what they can do with their age restrictions and free agency dollars.
On July 9, Brandon Jennings shunned the NCAA to play basketball professionally in Europe until he is eligible for the NBA Draft next season.
Earlier today, Atlanta Hawks free agent forward Josh Childress signed with Olympiakos of the Euroleague for three seasons.
Where does this leave the future of free agency in the NBA?
The Atlanta Hawks will not have to worry about the loss of forward Josh Childress coming back to haunt them next season.
Not in an NBA uniform anyway.
The free agent small forward has signed a deal to play with Olympiakos, a Grecian team in the Euroleague for three years.
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The Hawks were able to match any offer from an NBA team but not from foreign teams. Childress’ deal is said to be worth $20 million after taxes making his deal the highest of any player signed to the Euroleague.
The guaranteed deal, which he can opt out of after each year, is more than what Childress would have earned in the NBA.
Childress averaged 11.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Hawks last season.
So where does this leave the future of free agency in the NBA?
If players are going to earn this amount AFTER taxes, and possibly opt-out after each season. Leaves NBA Commissioner David Stern with his hands tied.
Each season, NBA players end up going to Europe to play, some even finish their careers there. However, none of those players have turned down or signed for the money that Childress is going earn.
I’m not worried about the top tier free agents just yet, but for the Josh Childress’ of the world, this is a feather in the cap of “the glue guys” of the NBA that feel like their being low-balled in the American market.
David Stern has to be worried but fair exchange is no robbery, the number of foreign players has increased drastically.
Bottom line: the world is no longer a farm system for the NBA. Stern had better rethink the eligibility rule.
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4 months ago
I love this Article! You have your facts straight!
4 months ago
Thanks for reading, I don't think many people realize what this means to the NBA.
The fact that an NBA team is not allowed to match the offer of a foreign team for one of their own players is going to have greater impact down the road.
4 months ago
great article Ron...
Although, I think Brandon Jennings is going to be real wildcard here. His teenage youth, and the vitality which that usually brings in terms of fanship ---in any sport!--- is something to monitor.
Should potential "NBA revenue" starting going overseas too, in as trackable of a way, as some marquee/solid NBA talent who head overseas. Then, and only then, will we see the NBA get concerned.
Although I think your story sums up the current impact, superbly, my bet is that we won't see 'concern' by NBA brass, until 5-6 years from now...should opting for this money-maker, start to increase amongst players ---especially any marquee players.
4 months ago
Yeah you won't see Stern push the panic button until a player that is more marketable is snatched up.
As long as it's not anyone in the upper echelon of players he'll sleep well at night.
Thanks for reading.
4 months ago
IMO David Stern has no right to do anything to stop people from going to Euro teams and this is coming from a huge NBA fan, all these years we've been taking these euro players and now they're getting there revenge what's wrong with that? Money Talks and people are realizing this isnt the same america we use to live in, gas is double what it use to be, along with home insurance, car insurance, and property tax, the list goes on and on it's actually becoming safer to live in other countries then it is to live here! Like i've said a 100 times this is the start of something bigger then just "regular players", wait and see the day will come.
4 months ago
I hear you "C". They had me when they picked up the tab on his taxes.
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