March 2011 Basketball Wiretap

FIBA Ruling To Allow NBA Players To Go Overseas

Jul 29, 2011 12:07 PM

FIBA has ruled that NBA players are free to play elsewhere during a lockout, but that they must return when it is resolved.

FIBA agrees that players are free to sign anywhere but do so at their own risk of injury.

Secretary general Patrick Baumann says in a statement Friday that FIBA supports "any player wishing to play the game, wherever and whenever. We do so while obviously taking the interests, rights and obligations of all parties into account."

Deron Williams has already agreed to a contract in Turkey.

Chicago Tribune

Tags: Deron Williams, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, International, NBA CBA, International Signing Rumor

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Report: Union, NBA To Meet Next Week

Jul 27, 2011 6:47 PM

That meeting will take place next week, barring some unforeseen scheduling issue, according to two sources familiar with the matter. It could take place as early as Monday, depending on how the schedules of a few key figures shake out, according to one of the sources.

Staff members from each side, including some top officials, have met twice since the lockout took effect on July 1 to finalize the 2010-11 basketball-related income figure, discuss possible structures for a new salary cap and schedule future meetings. But those sessions have not involved several key players, including NBA commissioner David Stern, union executive director Billy Hunter and top outside counsel for both sides.

Experts consider the two sides to be far apart in a dispute that centers on how the league should split its revenue pie with players.

Zach Lowe/SI.com

Tags: NBA, NBA CBA

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Kirilenko Negotiating With Russian Team

Jul 27, 2011 3:03 PM

Andrei Kirilenko is reportedly negotiating a deal to return to professional Russian team Spartak St. Petersburg.

Kirilenko's agent, Marc Fleisher, made no mention about his client signing with Spartak when contacted Wednesday.

Kirilenko, 30, began his pro career in St. Petersburg. He made his debut during 1996-97 as a 15-year-old, and was the youngest athlete to ever play in the Russian League.

While Kirilenko said several times last season that he would consider ending his career in Russia, he also stated a clear preference to remain in the NBA during the next few years.

Brian T. Smith/Salt Lake Tribune

Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA CBA

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Darko's Agent Says Client Not Exploring Return To Europe

Jul 27, 2011 3:01 PM

Darko Milicic would seem to be a good candidate to look for a contract in one of Europe’s top leagues. But, with three years left on his Timberwolves contract, that’s not happening.

“We're no exploring it,” Milicic’s agent, Marc Cornstein, told Sporting News on Wednesday. “Because he is under contract, because he has three years left, it’s a totally different scenario than for some other players who are free agents.”

Milicic, who is still only 26, averaged 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks last season, and started all 69 games he played for Minnesota, his fifth NBA team.

He will not be playing for Serbia in this summer’s EuroBasket tournament, and though he is not currently considering a spot with a European team, he hasn’t entirely ruled it out.

Sean Deveney/Sporting News

Tags: Darko Milicic, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA CBA

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Durant Keeping Tabs On Teammates, Says He's 50-50 On Playing Overseas

Jul 27, 2011 2:59 PM

With the NBA in the middle of a lockout and team officials forbidden from having any contact with players, Thunder management has been unable to supervise one of the league's youngest rosters. It can only hope that its players don't fall out of shape or fall into any bad habits.

Durant is determined to make sure neither of those things happen.

"I've checked in with everybody," said the 22-year-old All-Star. "First off, I trust all my guys. They are all working hard and getting ready for next season. We're all family and we're going to keep checking in with each other and make sure we get through this."

Like many players, Durant said it's "50-50" that he'd play overseas, but he won't make any decisions until at least September.

"I love playing in the states," he said. "But I want to play somewhere. If you have an opportunity to [play overseas], it's something you have to think about."

Chris Mannix/SI.com

Tags: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA CBA

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Agent: Marcus Morris Willing To Hear Foreign Offers

Jul 27, 2011 10:20 AM

Houston Rockets first-round draft pick Marcus Morris is not packing his bags to go play in Europe, but the idea is on his radar.

With the NBA in the midst of a lockout, many players from around the league are at least considering playing outside the United States.

"It's intriguing," said Tony Dutt, Morris' agent. "If the right offer came along, we would look at it.”

Morris was the 14th-overall pick in the June NBA Draft.

"We both agreed I would send a bunch of stuff to teams over there," Dutt said. "We haven't received anything that makes sense at this point.”

Mark Berman/MyFoxHouston.com

Tags: Marcus Morris, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA CBA

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Blazers' Patty Mills Fielding Offers From Australian League Teams

Jul 27, 2011 10:15 AM

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Patty Mills says he is looking into a move back to his native Australia to play in the National Basketball League as long as the NBA lockout continues.

"The most important thing for me is to find somewhere to play," Mills told Australian Associated Press. "Definitely NBL teams have reached out. I am looking at that, but also teams in Europe and other options. But right now there is no rush in making a decision; it will come over the next couple of months."

NBL chief executive Larry Sengstock was eager to bring Mills home, saying the league was "determined to look at any and every option to facilitate his signing with an NBL team."

Associated Press

Tags: Patty Mills, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA CBA

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Union, Owners Set To Resume Negotiations In Early August

Jul 27, 2011 10:13 AM

A National Basketball Players Association spokesman confirmed to SBNation.com that the union and NBA are hammering out details for the first bargaining session of the NBA lockout, to be held within the first two weeks of August.

Recent reports have suggested that neither the players or owners have shown an inclination to get back to the bargaining table, given the vast gap said to separate the sides. But staff from each side have been communicating, and a bargaining session that includes NBA deputy director Adam Silver and members of the union's board will be held in early August.

The NBA officially locked out players on July 1. When the NBA last locked out players in 1998, the sides didn't meet until the second week of August.

Tom Ziller/SBNation.com

Tags: NBA, NBA CBA

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Carmelo Would 'Love' To Play In China During Lockout

Jul 26, 2011 4:45 PM

Carmelo Anthony is in China this week as part of the Jordan Brand Flight Tour.

During a question and answer session with fans, Anthony was asked if he’d like to play in China during the lockout.

“I'd love it,” Anthony said. “There's a lot of history here. The fans are great -- and why not? Why not try it out?”

Anthony signed a three-year, $65 million extension with the Knicks in February.

ESPNNewYork.com

Tags: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA CBA

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League Postpones Rookie Transition Program

Jul 26, 2011 4:40 PM

The NBA has postponed a program that provides rookie players with skills and information necessary for a successful transition into the league until it can resolve the lockout.

The Rookie Transition Program, scheduled for August 9-11, will be rescheduled once the NBA and players reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement.

"Without a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union, we will be unable to hold RTP as originally scheduled," NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

"This is an important educational program for our incoming players, and it will be rescheduled once the parties agree on a CBA."

Reuters

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA CBA

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NBA Execs Believe International Teams Won't Give Most Players Out Clauses

Chris Mannix/Sports Illustrated (via Twitter)

Cavaliers Avoid Layoffs

Bob Finnan/News-Herald

Stoudemire's Back Still Recovering, Chances Of Playing Abroad 'High'

ESPNNewYork.com

Fesenko Poised To Sign With Ukrainian Team

Brian T. Smith/Salt Lake Tribune

Bryant, Durant, Rose Set To Receive A Combined $1.2 Million For Philippines Exhibition

Sam Amick/SI.com

Pacers Avoid Layoffs Despite Significant Financial Losses

Anthony Schoettle/Indiana Business Journal

Gordon, Randolph, Butler, Aminu Will Receive Paychecks During Lockout

Detroit News

Lakers, Magic And Mavericks Hit With Luxury Tax; Knicks Avoid It

New York Post

NBA Agents Pushing Union Decertification

Yahoo! Sports

Owners Owe Players $188 Million Under Escrow System

CBS Sports

Griffin Not Considering Overseas Options

Darnell Mayberry/Oklahoman

Union President Fisher Wants No Part Of NFL's Salary Structure

Ian Thomsen/SI.com

Granger, Hibbert, George Among Pacers Considering Playing Overseas

Mike Wells/Indianapolis Star

Bobcats Retain Sponsors Amid Lockout

Ely Portillo/Charlotte Observer

Besiktas Confirms Talks With Kobe

Associated Press

Knicks Will Offer Refund With Interest For Games Missed

Marc Berman/New York Post

Hawks Ownership Group Engaged In Fast-Moving Talks With Potential Buyer

Chris Vivlamore and Tim Tucker/Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Report: Celtics, CSSNE Equity Stake Income Won't Count Toward Salary Cap, Player Salaries

Mike Ozanian/Forbes.com

Timberwolves Lay Off At Least 11 Business Side Employees

Associated Press

CBA Discussions On Hold Until August

Ken Berger/CBSSports.com