[The SquirrelyqParticipant]

Does anyone else think that the current system for drafting foreign-born players is broken? In my opinion, it should be a requirement for foreign players that enter the NBA draft to sever all ties with their former teams, this would prevent ridiculous contract disputes, such as the one Minnesota is currently going through with Ricky Rubio. I am aware that some teams draft players specifically so that they can “stash them overseas.” However, wouldn’t it make more sense to put players in their team’s respective D-League affiliate? This would do two things: First off, it would prevent further contract disputes and allow the team that drafted the player to more closely oversee their development. Secondly, it would greatly improve the quality of the teams in the D-League, which could lead to better attendance and possibly a decent flow of cash from the D-League. I know I would go see a D-League game between the Austin Toros and the Idaho Stampede if I knew that Victor Claver and Tiago Splitter were going head to head. What are your guys’ thoughts?

[MagikKnickParticipant]

I agree, imo,

it should be either you get drafted and come

or

you dont enter your name at all….

[Manny_3187Participant]

i agree with the two of you, The NBA cannot continue to allow these players overseas to play games with teams. Your either ready to play in the NBA or your not, its that simple.

[Anton123Participant]

Sure the first part is true.
Right now though, stashing a European player overseas is better for a couple of reasons
1) The D-League sucks, the level of European basketball is way better
2) The kids are closer to their home
If the level of the D-League gets better stashing players there would be great but money has to be spent on that

[JoeWolf1]

Thats a good point about putting top European players in the D-League if they weren’t ready to play in the NBA. It’d be a great opportunity for American fans to see European players before they came to the league and at the same time strengthening the D-League. If the D-League brought in more money from drawing fans they could afford to pay the players more than like 30,000-60,000 a year like they do now.

The D-league is a very good thing, for NBA basketball, in my opinion, but it could be made better and I think it will in the future. Sadly, though, like all professional sports money has a lot to do with things. If a Euroepen player was drafted in the 2nd round with a non-guaranteed contract and a probable 300,000 salary waiting for him in the NBA or 40,000 in the D-League, why would be give up his 1,000,000 salary and more playing time until he was more ready to play and could negotiate a better contract in a few years. I agree with you guys, that’d be a great improvement for the D-League, but sadly money plays a part in it too, im sure.

[rtbtParticipant]

I think the NBA has to do several things in reference to foreign players.

1. Eliminate that stupid $500,000 limit rule. Allow the free market to operate whereby teams can pay as little or as much as they want to bring over a player from Europe.

2. If you draft a player and he doesn’t sign a contract to play with your team within 18-24 months, you lose the draft rights and he becomes a free agent.

3. Eliminate any other inconsistencies with American players. In other words, institute consistent rules for all players.

[Author]

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