WILL NBA STARS LEAVE FOR EURO $$?

Question

The Euros ae worth more than the dollar its' a public fact , and the Euro basketball league has no salary cap. Now ever since Josh childress turn down the Atlanta hawks contract an opted to play overseas where he would make more money and pay no taxes, rumors have been flying around about other NBA players following suit. Kobe even told a reporter its hard to turn down 50 million a season. Could you imagine the NBA without it's premiere players?

Answer 1

Yes, they would if the price is right. If they can earn their money in 2 years why wait for 4 or 5 years if they are going to stay in the NBA.

Answer 2

Sooner or later its going to happen.  If I were Kobe or LeBron etc., I would play in Europe for $50 million a year in a heartbeat!  You can only make 1/2 of that (or less after taxes) playing in the NBA.

Even if LBJ only played for 3 years in Greece, he'd still be in his prime (after making $150,000,000) if he wanted to come back and take a pay cut to come back to the NBA.  

And...if European teams are offering that kind of money to players, it's only a matter of time before the Euro Leagues have better talent than the NBA does....so if you wanted to be the best you'd HAVE to go to Europe to play the best.  

That's a scary thought to me as an NBA fan.

Answer 3

I believe Kobe could leave in the next 3 to 4 years, someone said that the Euro league is not as popular and as prestigious as the NBA that's exactly why they want a Kobe or a Lebron believe if of one them goes there whichever league he goes will be popular instantly and will be a lot more exposed. If they both go I can't imagine what will be happen, they have endorsement there too Nike, Coke, etc...

Someone said that Euro players want to come here and get popularity, first not all the best Euro play in the NBA, a lot of them are still in Europe and second some actually turn down the chance to come to the NBA or return to Europe because they don't feel that they need to be in the NBA to improve and I agree with them.

Answer 4

i would be outraged!!!!

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

Well the pioneer is Josh Childress. There will be a few more and one of them will bound to be a big name. So depending on their reactions and their success (on the court/economically), the players in the States will respond accordingly.

I doubt Lebron will skate over but the Lakers will need ball sacs to call Kobe on his bluff especially if Kobe wins a championship in the next 2 years. He will have nothing left to prove in the NBA. He has the European ties and his popularity overseas seems to be even greater if that is possible.

I believe most likely the top stars will remain in the US but you will get an all-star or former all-star like Marbury headed over soon enough.

Answer 7

this is mostly a bluff from the likes of Lebron and Ko to prompt Dave Stern to loosen the max salary cap currently at $15M per annum...

Answer 8

ive read articles that the likes of Bryant and James would consider playing for EuroLeagues if they can pay them as high as 50 million euro dollars.

but i think the fame and popularity that the NBA can give is something that the Euro Teams cant give. Why do you think Euro players plays in the NBA? not only do they want to try it, but also the fame they can get. Look at PArker who ended up getting Eva as his wife. Get the idea? =)

Answer 9

yes, but there will be more premiere players developing in the NBA as others leave it.

Answer 10

I can see it happening now that so many decent players; Childress, Delfino, Boykins, Kristic are all leaving... plus the teams over in Europe like u said are offering so much more money so yeah... there is a high chance we will see some stars leave even if its only for a year or two.

Answer 11

I dont think so. These NBA players are earning A LOT off endorsements. A lot of NBA superstars earn more money off endorsements (shoes, jerseys, mcdonalds, coca cola, ect) than they do playing basketball. I highly doubt anyone in the US wants to buy a Kobe Bryant euro team jersey. Sure, the euro teams have more money to spend on contracts. But going to europe means a decrease in popularity here.