More NBA Players look to Europe as lockout drags on

When the NBA lockout first seemed imminent many opined that this labor dispute would last much longer, and be a bit more contentious than the lockout the NFL just went through. Since many owners were actually losing money, and would need players to adjust (see lower) their salaries in order to benefit their bosses, it didn’t take a genius to realize that there was a severe disconnect between each side. Now, more than a month after the lockout began, many players are seriously considering alternative leagues in Europe and Asia, especially considering the shroud of doubt now encompassing the 2011-2012 season, [“If I had to bet on it this moment, I would probably say no,” NBPA executive director Billy Hunter said.

Derron Williams, star PG for the New Jersey Nets, has signed a deal with Turkish basketball team Besiktas. which signed him to a $5 million dollar deal shortly after the lockout began. Besiktas also made a big splash with their pursuit of Kobe Bryant, which never quite materialized, but that doesn’t mean that the team is done quite yet. In recent days they’ve been connected to a rising superstar in Oklahoma City’s G Kevin Durant, “The Turkish option is very intriguing,” Durant’s agent Aaron Goodwin said. “We’re looking at other countries as well. Kevin hasn’t agreed to play anywhere yet, but we’re looking for the best fit.” Durant has also been exploring options in Spain and Russia, but says that China is not an option he’s considering.

Why wouldn’t one of the world’s best players consider the worlds big populous as a worthwhile endeavor? Perhaps it’s the stringent rules the Chinese Basketball Association recently passed, stating that teams could only sign one current NBA player, and that player would not be released from his contract once the NBA lockout is over. These rules stand opposed to the FIBA ruling that all NBA players under contract would have to return to their team at the end of the lockout. It’s also a seemingly shortsighted move, which could stunt basketball’s growth in China, as many Chinese basketball fans are mourning the recent retirement of the country’s best player, Yao Ming and looking for new stars to latch on to.

Miami Heat stars Dwayne Wade and LeBron James have differing viewpoints on the lockout, with the Wade stating he’ll play ‘somewhere’ next season “I don’t know where, but I love the game so much that I will play it.” Meanwhile, James has a rosier view of the labor negotiations. “I’m optimistic that we will have a season this year,” James said. “Very optimistic.”

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