Will consider offers to play in Europe
It appears that the European threat is not solely a problem in the NHL. In the midst of the Olympics in Beijing, several of the biggest stars in the National Basketball Association currently representing the United States are being tabbed as potential future stars overseas. Following talk that LeBron James may look into options in Europe once his deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers concludes, Yahoo! Sports’ Andrian Wojnarowski reports that Kobe Bryant could explore the global free agent market as soon as next summer.
Bryant’s current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers runs through the 2010-11 campaign, but he may opt out of the deal following next season. Whenever his term with the Lakers reaches its end, Bryant will see what options exist for him in Europe, according to Wojnarowski.
The most likely destination for Bryant is Italy:
“Bryant spent several years of his childhood in Italy and loves it there. Seven years ago, he bought an ownership stake in Olimpia Milano of the Italian league for his father Joe to run. When Bryant was asked whether he held intrigue with owning and playing on a team together, he said, ‘Absolutely,’ (Wojnarowski)“
Obviously, the Lakers cannot be pleased with this news. After doing everything in their power for so many years to please Bryant, especially after last summer’s back-and-forth saga with Kobe wanting to be traded and then not, the prospect of losing him after next year is disheartening news. After a resurgence of the star and the team last year, culminating in an NBA Finals appearance, the team must have assumed a long-term contract to take Bryant almost near retirement was well in the cards. Having to compete with up to $50 million a year offers (which I assume would include marketing efforts) is a pretty big obstacle to come up against. After doing so much to please its star, this is the last thing Los Angeles wants to hear.
It’s not exactly an impossibility, either. Though he would clearly be the biggest star to head overseason, the NBA has lost quite a few players to Europe this offseason. Players like Carlos Delfino and Atlanta Hawks 2004 first round draft pick Josh Childress have left the NBA for contracts worth decent money and the possibility for greater exposure in Europe. Childress landed a three-year, $20 million with Greece’s Olympiakos.
It’s also possible Bryant, and even James, are using this European option solely for leverage. Even if $50 million were to come their way per year, they are two of the NBA’s biggest stars and that’s unmatchable in any European league. For players that are going to make so much money in contracts and endorsements in America, is $50 million per season really enough to make them leave the best basketball league in the world?
Bryant already plays on a large stage in Los Angeles and just witnessed Lakers management form a team more than capable of competing for the NBA Title for several years. For LeBron, the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks, who provide a much bigger stage than Cleveland, are both making it a priority to have cap and roster room available when he’s free agent eligible in a few years.
So, I doubt either player will actually end up in Europe despite claiming to be interested. Even that mere interest, though, presents a leverage problem to NBA clubs who would be foolish to even think about calling the bluff of players like Bryant and James.
