With the NBA lockout underway, many NBA players are considering taking their talents overseas (including, interestingly enough, players union VP Keyon Dooling). 
And while some have already made the move – see Deron Williams – others are still debating it.
Of course issues of insurance, the length of the lockout, and contracts weigh heavy on any player considering making the move; however, FIBA – the world governing body for basketball – has confirmed it will approve the transfer of players under contract despite the NBA lockout:
During a lockout NBA players who continue to be under contract with an NBA team are free to play anywhere they want, whether for their national teams and/or for club teams.
If an NBA player requests to play for a club of a FIBA affiliated league, the NBA will not object but will state that the player will have to return to his NBA team as soon as the lockout ends. Consequently, FIBA will deliver a letter of clearance subject to the receipt of a declaration signed by the player, stating that he will return to his NBA team when the lockout is over.
Any player who does make the jump does so at his own risk. According to FIBA, it will be up to the team to decide on whether to have the player sign any waiver of injury.
Here is a comment from FIBA Secretary General and IOC member, Patrick Baumann.
“In view of our role to promote basketball worldwide, we support 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,” he added.
Now we’ll see if more players will look to a FIBA team should this lockout eat into next season. Though this news might be comforting for NBA players, the issue of team liability, and player insurance does remain.
Will a FIBA team pay an arm and a leg for a player’s insurance knowing said player will leave once the lockout is over? Is it worth signing an NBA player knowing the roster will have to be re-made to fill that spot once the player returns to the NBA?
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