Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut to join Patty Mills in Australian NBL – NBA News
As the lockout enters its second month, another National Basketball Association star Andrew Bogut is joining the Australian National Basketball League for the upcoming season.
The Portland Trail Blazers guard, Patty Mills had announced yesterday about his deal with the Melbourne Tigers.
“If the lockout is where it is now, Europe and the NBL are viable options for me. Australia is very appealing because I get more time with my family. I won't go asking an NBL club for big money, the main thing is the insurance.”
The main hurdle to sign with the league is to find a club that would be able to cover his insurance of the $60 million NBA contract. The premiums rose after he received an injury in right elbow last year.
Bogut, on the other hand played two years in the University of Utah before being picked first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2005 NBA Draft. With a 7 foot frame, Bogut is considered one of the best passing centers in the league
and last season, he put in career highs with 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game.
Melbourne is the preferred choice of every Australian NBA player because of the club’s history. It is a well renowned club worldwide and most of the players are aware about the Tigers and Gaze. However, the Melbourne Tigers will
not be able to offer Bogut as Patty Mills is already on their roster and they do not have enough money to pay him.
Even with Mills, Daryl Carletto has to make an exit to make enough room in the salary cap to adjust the Trail Blazers star. Mills will stay with the Australian Boomers during their preparation for the three-game Olympic qualifying
series against New Zealand, which will start in Melbourne on September 7 before he will join the Tigers.
Bogut was also interested in joining the Tigers, but with Mills in, he would be negotiating with other teams. When asked about the whole scenario, Bogut joked “Patty has stolen my spot.”
The general manager of the New Zealand Breakers, Richard Clarke has hinted of the possibility that Bogut might join the Breakers if only the insurance matters could be resolved. Clarke said that Bogut’s presence in the club would
be good for the league.
“I think he wouldn't consider coming to us... but there's always a remote chance.” He further added “Getting a player like that - it's good for everyone.”
Whether Bogut and the Breakers can reach an accord on the insurance issues, however remains to be seen.
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