NBA Rumors: Potential Overseas Landing Destinations for Top 10 Stars

Deron Williams started a trend when he agreed to go play for Besiktas, a Turkish basketball team, should the NBA lockout last too long.

Ever since then, numerous stars have been linked to potential overseas landing destinations. Such activity is an indication that the players do not want postpone or cancel season any less than the fans do.

Are these rumors supposed to serve as a scare tactic to possibly speed up new CBA negotiations?

Are players only agreeing to play overseas to make some money? Or is it because they want to stay in shape during the lockout?

Or perhaps, are players like Kobe Bryant exploring overseas options to enhance their global reputation?

For whatever the reason may be, players seem serious about taking their talents overseas and letting the lockout sort itself out. And with this becoming a very real possibility with each passing day, let's take a look at the potential overseas landing destinations for the NBA's Top 10 stars.

And just for the record, Deron Williams will not be dedicated a slide because he has already agreed upon a contract to play overseas.

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat is one of the NBA's top stars that is considering playing overseas should the lockout not be resolved.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Wade would consider playing overseas if the NBA lockout "stretches into next season." And since then, he has stated on multiple occasions that he is keeping his options open.

Most believe that there is not potential for Wade to play overseas. With a history of injury, he would be risking the $90 million dollars he is still owed to play for a short time overseas. However, as ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst notes, the itch to play may strike Wade and push him to play overseas.

Players are reiterating that playing overseas is not about the money, but rather about their love of the game. If basketball is what they love to do, it will be very difficult for them to stay away, especially during their prime.

Where would Wade and his 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.6 points play if he heads overseas?

Europe is a viable option, but more likely destination would be China, where Wade will be spending some time during the lockout, on behalf of the Jordan brand.

Wade will be visiting China along with other stars such as Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, and who knows, if the mood strikes, Wade may attempt to form another super-team.

This time in Asia.

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks

After winning a championship for his Dallas Mavericks, the last thing Dirk Nowitzki would be thinking about is playing overseas of the NBA lockout stretches into next season, right?

Wrong.

If the NBA season is postponed, or even canceled, do not expect Nowitzki and his 23 points and seven rebounds per game to sit on his couch and attempt to continue basking in the glory of his NBA championship. 

Yes, that's right; add Nowitzki's name to the list of NBA stars who say they will consider playing overseas as a result of the current lockout. Nowitzki told the German Newspaper BILD he would play for Germany if the lockout was not sorted out.

"Rather than do nothing at all for a year, I would come to Germany," he said. 

It's clear that the lockout is not going to slow Nowitzki's role. If it stretches into next season, expect to see Nowitzki suiting up for Germany instead of the Mavericks.

Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks

Amar'e Stoudemire first said that he would not consider playing overseas, but then changed his tune, saying that he would not rule out the possibility.

Last season, Stoudemire led the resurgence of the New York Knicks, averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. With a lingering back injury hampering Stoudemire during the playoffs, many may feel that playing overseas would be a mistake for the Knicks' $100 million man.

However, what we must take into account is that Stoudemire may want to prove sooner rather than later that his back is fine and he is ready to play. This means we cannot brush off his consideration to play overseas. It is a very real possibility for the star power forward.

Should Stoudemire decide to play overseas, where will he go?

He already said that European teams were calling, and while Europe is a viable option, there is another destination that may appeal to Stoudemire a bit more. Last season Stoudemire spent time in Israel studying Judaism, and he thoroughly enjoyed his experience.

So if Stoudemire decides playing overseas is something that he will do during the lockout, then his most likely destination is Israel. 

Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets

Chris Paul will not only have to endure rumors about where he will play as a result of next summer's free agency period, but now he also has to listen to rumors about where he will bring his game overseas if the NBA lockout is not resolved.

Paul averaged 15.8 points, 9.8 assists and 2.4 steals last season for the New Orleans Hornets and has been one of multiple NBA stars linked to playing overseas. Paul's "overseas free agency," if you will, seems likely to be a lot less complicated than his states-side one.

Paul has already stated that he will consider offers to play basketball in China during the lockout. As a part of the Jordan Brand, Paul, along with Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, will be spending time in China already, so such a destination is a viable option.

Also, Paul is the second player on this list to consider playing in China. As previously stated, Wade would embrace the opportunity as well. It may make Paul's decision a lot easier should Wade commit to playing in China.

As all our information indicates, if Paul decides to head overseas to play basketball, his almost certain destination is China.

Guess we will have to go back to speculating where he will be suiting up for the 2012-2013 season then.

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant's allegiance to his Oklahoma City Thunder stretches deep, but not to the point that he would not play overseas if the NBA lockout fails to resolve itself before next season.

Durant, along with his 27.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, is considering playing overseas. He told Tulsa World that he is "50-50" on playing overseas, citing that he wants to "wait and see how this lockout goes" before making any major decisions.

If the lockout does not end, or take a major step toward doing so, Durant may decide it's time for a scenery change. The chances of the NBA season beginning on time are becoming slimmer with each passing day, and the longer the lockout lasts, the more likely Durant is to take his talents abroad.

Where will Durant go? 

Europe seems like Durant's most likely destination. Responding to a question about whether he would play in Europe during the NBA lockout, Durant tweeted "it's lookin like I might--idk yet."

The reining two-time scoring champion is about as genuine a guy as there is in the NBA. We can choose to remain skeptical about Deron Williams playing in Turkey or about Dwyane Wade heading to China, but if Durant says he is considering playing in Europe, then he we have to believe it.

If the NBA lockout persists, all signs point to Durant defending his scoring title from a different continent.

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony is in the middle of trying to form a super team for the New York Knicks, but if the NBA lockout cuts into next season, he may shift his focus to forming a superstar powerhouse overseas.

Anthony and his 25.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game are among the many stars considering taking their talents overseas during the NBA lockout. And wouldn't you know it, Anthony has been linked to playing professional basketball in China, just like his buddies Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade have been rumored to be doing.

Anthony is the third star on this list to be mulling over the opportunity to play professionally in China. LIke Wade and Paul, Anthony is a spokesperson for NIke's Jordan brand and will be spending significant time in China already, making it a perfect fit.

Additionally, Anthony is lobbying for Paul to join him and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York so that they can form a "Big Three" of their own. What better way for Anthony to do just that than becoming Paul's teammate a year earlier than rumored and showing him what it could be like if he joins the Knicks.

With Anthony on board, it seems that China may be the latest country to be an owner of its very own super team.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat

LeBron James is reportedly one of the NBA's stars who is not interested in playing overseas, but we cannot always believe everything that he tells us.

James may say that he is not considering taking his 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and seven assists per game overseas, but it is hard not to see how his tune may change when he looks at the benefits of doing so. Think of how much James' global persona would improve should he play internationally?

We can all try and believe that LeBron does not care about his image, but he does; he is just terrible at managing it. LeBron wants to become the wealthiest athlete there ever was, and playing overseas would only increase his revenue stream endorsement and jersey-sale wise, as well as extend his global reach.

Moral of the story? Don't believe James' statements until it is officially not an option anymore. LeBron taking his talents overseas could become a very real possibility very soon.

Where would James consider playing?

You might remember back in 2008 when LeBron said he would considering playing basketball professionally in Europe instead of the United  States for $50 million or more per year, but in this case, Europe would not likely be on his radar.

A more likely option on James' behalf is joining his Jordan brand buddies, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony, and bringing his talents to China.

James has already showed an inclination here in the states that he enjoys playing alongside other superstars, and China already has caught the attention of at least three others.

And who knows, LeBron may also set off on a quest to try and exceed Yao Ming's legacy over there.

Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love may be busy thinking about how to run the pick and roll effectively with Ricky Rubio, but if it becomes clear the NBA season is going to be shortened or cancelled as a result of the lockout, expect to see Love take his rebounding prowess overseas.

Love stated in a phone interview that "the option is being considered," citing that he will wait and see what other players decide to do first. Just like the rest of the players, Love would prefer that the lockout situation be resolved and the season begin as scheduled, but he is aware that that may not happen.

So where will Love take his 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game to? 

Love has not been linked to any countries specifically, but what could be quite telling is his plan to wait and see what other players do. Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony are considering playing in China, so Love may want to join another superstar.

If Love decides to play oversees, his most likely destination will be Turkey, with Deron Williams. There, he could work on developing his pick and roll execution with a top-tier point guard, as well as stay in shape for whenever the NBA will resume play.

But wait, it may not be Love who will join Williams in Turkey...

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a star to pair with the heralded shooting guard, and Kobe may have found his guy; just not for the Lakers.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLA.com, there is a very real chance that Kobe  and his 25.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game will join Deron Williams in Turkey if the NBA lockout persists.

Playing along side Williams in Turkey would give Kobe the opportunity to play with a caliber point guard he has yet to have the opportunity to play for with the Lakers. Playing in Turkey would also extend Kobe's global reach, thus enhancing his reputation.

Additionally, Kobe's motivation to play in Turkey may also go beyond that. This could serve as a chance for Kobe to pitch the idea to Williams of playing with him in Los Angeles as well.

Williams is slated to become a free agent next year, and the Lakers are in the market for a premiere point guard to run with Kobe. A Kobe and Williams pairing in Turkey then may actually lead to such a pairing in Los Angeles.

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard caps off the list of the top NBA stars that are going to be considering playing overseas.

While at Comic-Con in San Diego, California, Howard, in regards to playing overseas during the NBA lockout, said "Yeah, I don't want to just sit around and do nothing." Howard is known as one of the workhorses of the NBA, so it is feasible to believe that he would not enjoy much down time.

Where is Howard considering bringing his 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game?

In an interview with the Associated Press, Howard said he would consider playing in China or Europe if the NBA lockout does not come to an end. If he decides on China, he would most likely be joining Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and the possibility of LeBron James.

However, Howard is not one to typically follow everybody's lead. He is the lone star on the Orlando Magic, and to avoid even more rumors about which star he would like to play alongside after next season, he could decide to play in Europe.

On a tour for Adidas, Howard has visited the likes of Italy and Spain, which could serve as potential destinations. He specifically said that he has heard good things about Unicaja, a professional team in Spain.

Will Howard ultimately take his game abroad if the NBA lockout is not resolved?

His work ethic indicates he will, and if he does, look for him to land somewhere in Europe, specifically Spain or Italy.