Are we crazy?

Undoubtedly, summer is the time of year for rumors in sport. In Spain the media focuses in football (soccer) above all, but this summer of 2008 we are getting more news about NBA players that will land in European teams next season. The interest began when Juan Carlos Navarro decided to come back to F.C. Barcelona because of a great contract that he could not turn down, much better than anything he could have signed in NBA. Then, as far as Spanish players are concerned, Jorge Garbajosa followed Navarro when signed a 3 million euro by year contract with the Russians of Khimki. Motivated by a good project as well, he followed his ex mate in the Toronto Raptors Carlos Delfino who will play with the Russians too. The trade of Josh Childress from Atlanta Hawks to Olympiacos has been one of the most surprising player movements. The 25-year-old will play in Greece with a contract of 20 million dollars for the next 3 years. It is certain that his dunks will appear in the best plays of the week in the Greek league and in Euroligue too as it happened in NBA, and his hair will be a sensation as well. Later there was a rumor about Jason Williams and his possible trade to Maccabi Tel Aviv, but finally Carlos Arroyo will be the point guard of the Israeli squad for 2,5 million dollars by year. Players like Brezec, Nachbar, Krstic and Boykins are also moving to Europe.

Up to now, everything seems more or less normal. In general, we are speaking about players who look for more minutes in the games and more money for their accounts, thanks to some multimillionaire owners. But what seems insane is the so-called offer that Olympiacos has made to acquire Lebron James’ services for 2010, giving him a 40-50 million dollar contract by year. I do not know how to say this, but I do not believe that this situation can arrive. Firstly, James already earns about 38 millions with his contract and the publicity agreements with Coca-Cola, Nike or State Farms (according to Forbes magazine). Contracts to be revised in the following years. On the other hand, I cannot imagine him coming to Europe to develop his career being only 25 by that year, despite an unlikely NBA ring in his finger in the next two seasons. He is already the under-25 person that earns more money every year in the USA, and I do not think he crosses the ocean for a few more millions because he is becoming a great legend in the most prestigious basketball league. And legends do not do that. Personally, I could not imagine what to do with such amount of money, but I do not manage those sums actually. Let’s be realistic.