Josh Childress to Play Basketball in Greece
ESPN is reporting that restricted Atlanta Hawks free-agent Josh Childress has signed a contract to play professional basketball in Greece for the next three years. The reported deal is for $20 million for three years. Hopefully that number is in Euros and not Dollars. If it is Dollars then the amount is a good bit less than what the Hawks have/are offering him. If in Euros then he is getting a sweet heart of a deal.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its Web site that Childress, a restricted free agent, has signed a three-year contract with Olympiakos of Greece.Yahoo.com reported on Monday that Childress, who averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds last season, had an offer on the table from Olympiakos for more than $20 million over three years. But Hawks general manager Rick Sund told the AJC on Monday that the four-year pro was just exploring his options.
If the report is true then I find this a bit baffling. Childress is no scrub, can make as much if not more in the NBA, and was on a team that made the playoffs last year. But having lived in Greece myself, I can also see the allure of living and playing basketball for the wonderful Greek people as well.
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Um.. EUR 20,000,000 = USD 31,400,000. If it’s in US dollars, then USD 20,000,000 = EUR 12,700,000. Childress should hope that number is in Euros.
The euro is worth more than the dollar, so if it is in euros, he would be making far far more than he would with any other nba club, check your facts first.
It’s great- he’s making 20 million tax free, he’ll be a star player, and according to some european basketball blogs–americans who go over to play are treated like rock stars. He’ll have an amazing time- the kid went to Stanford- he’s smart!
Yes yes yes, you are all right. That is what I had meant when doing the post. It was extremely late and I got the currencies backwards. Thanks for keeping me straight. The deal also allows him to live in a mansion there for free along with several other great things. Henry Abbot had a great piece on how Josh’s signing should probably shake up the NBA a bit.
Henry Abbot’s Article on True Hoop