Carlos Boozer Willing to Consider Europe?

Josh Childress surprised many when he accepted the 3-year offer from Oliampacos that will earn him more than the Hawks offered. It's a trend that will surely continue for a number of reasons, but primarily because of money. Due to the strength of the Euro and other European currencies vs the US$, foreign teams have the ability to offer more money than NBA teams can offer.

For a mediocre to nice players like Childress, he will have the opportunity to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond. I would expect other players at his ability level to take a payday and increased responsbility with a European team. It will be much more shocking though if Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or another big star makes the jump.

Kobe and LeBron have mentioned they would consider it if they were offered $50 million per year. It makes sense to consider it. In the NBA, they will earn (salary-wise) under $20 million. It would be hard to turn down a $30 million/year pay increase. Or, at least, it would make sense to use for bargaining purposes.

The latest player to say he'd consider playing in Europe is Carlos Boozer.

Boozer, who is eligible to opt out of the final season of his six-year, $68-million contract next offseason, said he would be open to all offers — including with a foreign team.

"As a business decision, we definitely would have to look at it," said Boozer, in Beijing as a second-time Olympian. "But it doesn't mean that you're on the next flight out."

He said he would "absolutely" consider the possibility, "if my wife was down with it and the money was right."

The landscape of the NBA and international basketball could be very different 3-5 years from now. Stay tuned...