Josh Childress is a Greek.

[Kingdom]

Josh Childress is leaving the Atlanta Hawks for Greek club Olympiakos, reversing the course of the many international stars who have signed with the NBA.

Heading overseas allows Childress to make more money than he could have as a restricted free agent in the United States. The Hawks had the right to match an offer from another NBA team, but not from an international club.

Agent Jim Tanner said Wednesday the three-year deal was worth about $20 million after taxes. The money is guaranteed, and Childress can opt out of the contract after each year.

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.

The newspaper reported Monday the Hawks had a deal on the table worth nearly $36 million, with a first-year salary in excess of the midlevel exception of $5.6 million.

Must have wanted to play in front of more than 5 fans at a time.

ESPN - Ex-Hawk Childress signs with Greek club team - NBA



5th guy to go overseas, first American to do so this year. Juan Carlos Navarro was the only other decent player to leave the NBA.

[cjkalt]

the deal is good for him cause he has opt-out clauses each year...why not go make a ton of money for 2-3 years then come back to the NBA

[Foster]

More and more people will start to look at Euro leagues as a viable option if they don't get what they want or deserve. In hockey, all the talk is about who is going to play in Russia, with big contracts offered to as many players as possible. Basketball looks like it is starting to loose some talent, but this could really be just the tip of the iceberg.

At least NFL Europe isn't around to kill football in America.