NBA Stars Playing Basketball Abroad

As the NBA Lockout remains complicated and becomes more drawn out, a number of NBA players have opted to sign basketball contracts abroad.  Though international basketball is not ideal, it provides many of them the opportunity to continue to develop their skills and make money.

The top story thus far has been New Jersey Nets superstar, Deron Williams, signing with the Besiktas club in Turkey.  Another headline has been San Antonio Spurs guard, Tony Parker, deciding to play with the Pro A’s ASVEL Villeurbanne of France. 

A few other players that have already inked international deals include: Leandro Barbosa with Flamengo in Brazil, DeJuan Blair with Krasnye Krylya in Russia, Jordan Farmar with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Russia, Rudy Fernandez with Real Madrid in Spain, Andrei Kirilenko with CSKA Moscow in Russia, Kenyon Martin with Xingiang Guanghui in China, and Brian Scalabrine with Benetton Traviso in Italy. 

There are plenty of other marquee names that continue to consider the possibility of playing international basketball.  Kobe Bryant may sign with an Italian team.  Carmelo Anthony is seriously considering China if an NBA deal can’t be finalized.  Chris Paul, Shane Battier, and Stephen Curry are also weighing their options in China.  Ron Artest could end up playing in Cheshire, Great Britain.  And Kevin Durant is in early negotiations with the Besiktas, the same Turkish team that Williams signed with.

As time passes without an NBA agreement, a growing number of players are beginning to seriously think about playing abroad.  Would it be surprising if the United States broadcast networks began airing the basketball games of foreign leagues because of the American players that have made the jump? 

We will just have to see what happens from here.