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.