Krstic contract shows Europe isn't the lockout option most think it is

It’s become something of a ritual over the last few months. All over the league, players are asked whether, in the event of a lockout, they would consider taking their talents to Europe. Dozens of players have said yes, and from the sounds of it, you’d think there might be a mini-NBA set to sprout up across the pond.

But if there was one thing that should be gleaned from the decision of ex-Celtics center Nenad Krstic to sign a two-year, $9.6 million contract with CSKA Moscow on Thursday, it should be this: Players who think there is a lockout-time bonanza awaiting them in other countries are in for a rude awakening.

Guys like Brandon Jennings, Andrei Kirilenko, Deron Williams, Trevor Ariza and Kobe Bryant have all expressed interest in playing overseas. Good luck. The reality is, there are not many teams in Europe or elsewhere who will be able to hand out hefty contracts to any player, no matter their NBA credentials. That was part of Krstic’s thinking in bolting the NBA -- where he surely would have gotten offers -- for Russia. Knowing there are limited spots, Krstic made sure he was occupying one of those places.

“I think what a lot of people don’t realize is, you’re going to have a perfect storm of issues here,” Krstic’s agent, Marc Cornstein, told Sporting News. “The economy in Europe is not great, that is a consideration. The lockout here is a big consideration. The bigger teams, like Moscow, are going to be very aggressive early. But beyond that, there are very few teams overseas that are going to be able give lucrative contracts.

“Maybe 10 or 12 teams will be able to give out $1 million contracts, and they only have 12 roster spots. A lot of those teams have players already under contract, players that they’re happy with. Not every team is going to be in a position to completely restructure the roster to bring in NBA players. None of them are, really."