After signing Nachbar, Dynamo Moscow made an offer to Delonte West. He hasn't made a decision, yet. $5 mil(after taxes)/year is a great deal for Delonte, That's equivalent to $8.2 mil(gross)/year in the NBA. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...Y5nYcB?slug=aw-west072408&prov=yhoo&type=lgns Cavaliers’ West ponders going east By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports LeBron James could crush the world for an Olympic gold medal this summer, but the evolving power of the euro could cost him his Cleveland Cavaliers point guard. This time, the overseas revolution of outbidding NBA teams for restricted free agents advances with Dynamo Moscow discussing a two-year, $10 million offer with Delonte West, a source close to West said on Thursday. Clearly, Dynamo is a franchise with the resources to be taken seriously. Just a week ago, it lured New Jersey Nets forward Bostjan Nachbar with a three-year, $14.3 million contract. Nachbar’s contract turned into a prelude to Atlanta Hawks free agent Josh Childress signing a groundbreaking three-year, $20 million deal with Olympiakos of Greece. So far this summer, four international players with NBA résumés – Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro, Carlos Delfino and Pops Mensah-Bonsu – have taken substantial offers in Europe. As with most restricted free agents, West has few options right now. He could sign a $2.76 million qualifying offer for the 2008-09 season and become an unrestricted free agent next year. General manager Danny Ferry has considered sign-and-trade possibilities for West but ultimately has wanted to keep West. Last summer, Cleveland’s two restricted free agents, Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic, held out with contract disputes that extended into the regular season. After his trade from the Seattle SuperSonics at the February deadline, West won the Cavaliers’ starting point guard job, averaging 10.5 points and four assists per game. In pushing the Boston Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, West averaged 14.5 points – including two 21-point performances – over the final five games. James had wanted the Cavaliers to acquire an available point guard such as Jason Kidd or Mike Bibby, but he developed a fondness for West.
I hope he goes. It would be ironic if Dynamo Moscow assembles a dominant euroleague champion out of marginal NBA players in West and Nachbar who are at best semi capable backups, with a baseline of mediocrity. Really undercut the idea of how close to the NBA euroleague is if guys like that can go over and dominate.
The Cavs probably would counter this offer with something like 12 mil for three years and be able to secure him for LeBron. he probably isnt worth 5 mil but the opportunity to play with LeBron for slightly less would be far more appealing. Delontes staying in Cavs
LOL - I should add, Dynamo Moscow didn't even qualify for Euroleague - the most they can hope for is to dominate the paltry Russian league then qualify next year if they can knock of CSKA moscow. They will be playing in 1000 seat stadiums in places like Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. But hey if Zendon Hamilton can play there...
I can't see him accepting this to play in a Russian basketball league. I realize it's easy money with inferior competition and fewer games. But living in Russia? Nah! This sets a guideline. The Cavs should counter with ~3yrs/$14MM and get it done. It one thing for an American player to go to Greece, Spain, etc. But Russia is a whole different animal.
Actually I should edit my post - the worst thing is that they will think he IS caucasian, as in from Georgia, Azerbaijan etc.....not a good place to be....
Why does everyone always bring this up when talking about Europe? Like he can't get fine chicks staying in the good ole US and A.
I've been all over Europe, but not Russia. But I know people that have been to Russia and know it well. Forget it, even with money. Admittedly, being rich makes a HUGE difference there. But still, day to day every day, nah. Especially for an NBA player who can be rich right here in the States.
Exactly. Listen to some people and the NBA is imminent danger of being overtaken in terms of talent and attraction. Some truth mixed in with a large dose of overreaction in my opinion.
Of course, the Czar would think Moscow is better. Seriously, world-class city steeped in history vs. a dying rust-belt town.
