Is Europe an option for NBAers living in Houston?

“(Europe) is not an option for me,” said TJ Ford, most recently with the Pacers but currently a free agent. “Right now, the situation I’m in, being a free agent, I think it’s just best for me to just wait it out and see how it plays out. I know teams have interest so there’s not an issue of not being in the NBA if there’s a season. I just feel comfortable just waiting this thing out.”

The Wizards’ Rashard Lewis, too, seemed reluctant to declare overseas leagues as an option, although Lewis wouldn’t close the door on the possibility.

‘It’s still early in the summer,” said Lewis. “Hopefully they can come to some kind of (agreement). If not, I’m sure there will be a lot of other guys going over there. You always want to keep the option open because you never know what’s going to happen. If we miss a full season, then I’m sure guys will start looking to go over there.”

Kyle Lowry, the Rockets’ player representative, sounded open to the idea depending on the circumstances later this summer.

“Yeah, of course,” Lowry responded when asked if he would consider playing in a foreign league this fall. “Whether it’s China or (another country), it just has to be the best situation for me and my family.

“If the right situation arises and you can get an out-clause and you can get insurance I think it’s a great way to keep yourself in shape and keep yourself playing.”

Lowry’s reference to an “out clause” could be a sticking point for some players. It’s likely a foreign team would require an NBA player to commit to a whole season, regardless of what happens with the NBA lockout. Injury is another risk since a player’s NBA club could conceivably argue that if its player gets injured playing overseas, the NBA contract is void. But, players can also purchase insurance against such a risk.