Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest keeping all options open – NBA Update
Ever since New Jersey Nets star point guard Deron Williams decided to play overseas, many star players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) have shown their intentions to play abroad if the Lockout situation doesn’t change.
The latest in the list of these players is the Los Angeles Lakers small forward Ron Artest. According to various reports that emerged in the past week, Ron has agreed a contract with Finland’s LoKoKo Loimaa. However, Artest’s agent
David Bauman recently rubbished the rumours and called it a “publicity stunt” by the Finland’s domestic team.
Bauman told during a phone interview that, "I told him, 'Ron, the league over there is not strong enough to really give you the competition that you want. Even though that makes sense from a (convenience standpoint), it doesn't
make sense from a basketball perspective."
The second destination that has been linked with Artest is the British Basketball League or BBL. The name probably appeared in the rumour mill because Artest is looking to sign a movie in England. However, as far as signing a pact
with a British team is concerned, it is far-flung from veracity. Bauman echoed the same fact.
"England is probably the 10th or 12th best league in Europe. That isn't going to make sense. If we do Europe, it's going to be Israel, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Italy or maybe France. ... When we spoke about the lockout, Ron said,
'Find me the best teams.' "
According to Bauman, England and Finland “aren’t serious leagues", and he and his client are looking to explore competitive options abroad.
Besides European countries, Artest is also looking to explore China and Japan. Artest endorses a Chinese brand ‘Peak’ and had hired the services of a Chinese singer Shin Shin for his music label.
However, it will all come down to the best league, as Artest said, “It's not a money thing. It's a playing thing.”
However, playing overseas is not that easy as it seems because FIBA has not signed off on deals yet. This deal will enable NBA players to leave their overseas teams during the season and return to USA once the lockout gets over.
This is just the first hurdle in playing overseas because even if the FIBA signs the deal, it would difficult for the NBA players to find such contracts abroad that allow them to return to the U.S if work stoppage comes to an end.
Last but certainly not the least, is the insurance claim issue. The NBA pays a huge amount in terms of their players insurance and rest of the leagues around the world cannot afford that kind of money, especially when they have
to pay it for one or two players. So considering the above facts such leagues will try to drag young or inexpensive players from NBA rather than stars like Artest.
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