Foreign Players Headed Home...

[CHillyDoggy]

I've read two stories about foreign NBA Players headed back to their countries to play next season in the last 2 days. What does anyone attribute that to? Sounds like some hard feelings as far as the Raptors & Garbajosa go, but I'm surprised... he was a good PG.


Raptors agree terms on buy-out of Garbajosa

Jun 18, 6:01 pm EDT

TORONTO (AFP) - The Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association have reached an agreement to buy out the contract of Spanish forward Jorge Garbajosa.
Garbajosa, who was owed 4.25 million dollars on the final year of a three-year, 12.75 million-dollar contract, was released by the team on Wednesday.
"After a long, difficult and sometimes emotional process stemming from a traumatic injury to a key player, it was concluded that parting ways was the best thing for both Jorge and Raptors organization," Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo said. Read the rest...


Statement from Grizzlies General Manager/Vice President, Basketball Operations Chris Wallace on Juan Carlos Navarro

Memphis, June 19, 2008 — Memphis Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace released the following statement today on Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro, who rejoined F.C. Barcelona after completing his rookie NBA season with the Grizzlies in 2007-08.
“Juan Carlos Navarro has decided to rejoin his former team, F.C. Barcelona,” said Wallace. Read the rest...

[RenegadeLonghorn]

I heard about Garbajosa, but Navarro going home is news to me. I'm not surprised by this either. These players can make just as much in their home country. With the draft coming up, its risky to take an international player. The dollar doesn't have the value it used to!

[the_future]

I heard about this earlier today. It's not surprising at all that both players decided to leave the NBA to play for their home countries. In fact, I think we will begin to see a significant decrease of international players in the NBA over the next few years. Their home countries will pay them more than most NBA teams will. Several years ago, there was a huge sudden increase in international players in the NBA. Now, I could forsee a noticeable decrease of international players in the NBA.