As more and more NBA players consider riding out the lockout overseas, internationl teams are considering whether bringing them in is a good idea. From insurance issues, team chemistry, and money, there is a lot to consider for any destination team and their front office.
Enter China.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is reportedly considering implementing two rules regarding the addition of any NBA player:
First, teams will not be allowed to include an out-clause into any contract with an active NBA player and second, that each team will be allowed to sign only one active NBA player.
If the report is true, then it seems China wants to become the equivalent of the D-Con Roach Motel, players check in, but don’t check out. But can you blame the CBA?
Imagine having a new player come on to your roster, knowing it is just temporary, paying him a load of money, and then watching him take off as soon as his other league lets him come back.
Sure it will make for a great money-generating impact in the short-run but these are professional teams. Seeing how NBA players view overseas teams must make them feel second-rate. Something China does not take kindly to:
Said the anonymous source, ”The CBA isn’t the NBA’s backyard. If we didn’t make a rule about players playing here temporarily, then they’d all just leave in the middle of the season. That would affect our season greatly.”
“I think trying to attract superstar players to the league isn’t a good thing,” said Zhejiang Guangsha general manager, Ye Xiangyu, who was also quoted in the Sina article. “Once they leave [back to the NBA], there won’t be any players left on the market. That would affect a team across all aspects.”
Should these two rules take effect, it should all but end any NBA player’s desire to play in China. That includes Kobe Bryant who is reportedly leaning towards China as a possible destination during the lockout.
However, if China is trying to improve upon its basketball standing globally, learning from players who have laced them up on the highest level of professional basketball would be to their advantage.
The report does go on to say the CBA has not officially commented on the reported new rules.
(photo: nbainchina.com)
