Tiago Splitter heading to Spain again; Manu Ginobili still waiting: NBA News
With the rejection of the owner’s final proposal and union’s decision to file antitrust lawsuits against the league, the NBA lockout is expected to stay for a little longer. Under these circumstances, San Antonio Spurs power forward Tiago Splitter wasted no time in deciding to play overseas until the league gets back to business.
The 26-year-old Tiago is heading for the Spanish ACB league where he was named as the Most Valuable Player last year. Valencia BC of the Spanish league confirmed that Tiago Splitter has agreed to join the club and the NBA player will be making a shift very soon.
Splitter’s contract with Valencia BC includes the out clause option which will enable him to return for the 2011-2012 season whenever a settlement is made to form a new Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Despite of being drafted by the Spurs with the 28th overall pick during the 2007 NBA Draft, Tiago Splitter didn’t have a chance to play for NBA much. In 2008, the Brazilian basketball player re-signed with the Saski Baskonia for two seasons where he played before coming into the league. The contract with Baskonia allowed Splitter to make eight times more the average salary of an NBA rookie.
Although Splitter signed an extension with the Saski Baskonia which would have kept him in the Spanish league through 2010, but opted out of his contract and finally signed an agreement with San Antonio Spurs in July 2010 for three years. He effectively made his NBA debut in the last season, during which he played 60 games and averaged 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
However with recent developments indicating that there could be a long time before the labour dispute is settled, Splitter has decided to head back the Spanish league once again.
Manu Ginobili, the Spurs guard, has also been in the media reports for the same reason and although Ginobili has declared that he will not be going overseas until the entire 2011-2012 season is cancelled out, as per reports, he is still receiving lucrative offers from European teams on regular basis.
However Ginobili is still playing the waiting game;
"One day they say one thing, that they are close and the next day that negotiations are broken. We are just waiting for them to say 'We've found an agreement and we start. "I'm taking advantage of the chance that I haven't had for a long time, which is to see the league.” Ginobili said recently.
However, with the season now on the rocks, he might have to change his mind.
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