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Ex-Hawk Childress signs with Greek club team
ATHENS, Greece -- Josh Childress signed a reported three-year deal with the Greek club Olympiakos after leaving the Atlanta Hawks.
Childress was a restricted free agent, which meant the Hawks had the right to match offers from other NBA teams, but not from international clubs. Agent Lon Babby said the deal was worth about $20 million after taxes and was far more lucrative than what Childress could have received in the United States.
The money is guaranteed, and Childress can opt out of the contract after each year.
"It's obviously a bit different, being the first player to do something like this," Childress said on a conference call. "But I think it's a great opportunity, and it's going to be a great experience for me."
"I was in a situation that I really didn't know what my answer would be when I got to Athens," he said. "But it's a great city and a great team, and they did everything to make me feel at home."
The deal is the most lucrative current contract in European basketball and the biggest in Euroleague history, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which first reported the signing. It follows the decision by top prep prospect Brandon Jennings to sign with an Italian club team rather than play a season at Arizona.
Ex-Hawk Childress signs with Greek club team
ATHENS, Greece -- Josh Childress signed a reported three-year deal with the Greek club Olympiakos after leaving the Atlanta Hawks.
Childress was a restricted free agent, which meant the Hawks had the right to match offers from other NBA teams, but not from international clubs. Agent Lon Babby said the deal was worth about $20 million after taxes and was far more lucrative than what Childress could have received in the United States.
The money is guaranteed, and Childress can opt out of the contract after each year.
"It's obviously a bit different, being the first player to do something like this," Childress said on a conference call. "But I think it's a great opportunity, and it's going to be a great experience for me."
"I was in a situation that I really didn't know what my answer would be when I got to Athens," he said. "But it's a great city and a great team, and they did everything to make me feel at home."
The deal is the most lucrative current contract in European basketball and the biggest in Euroleague history, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which first reported the signing. It follows the decision by top prep prospect Brandon Jennings to sign with an Italian club team rather than play a season at Arizona.
