Leandro Barbosa considering going overseas

The Raptors' Leandro Barbosa was all smiles on Wednesday playing soccer in New York at former teammate Steve Nash's charity soccer event.

But back in Toronto, his brother, trainer and confidante Artur is immersed in the reality that Leandro has a difficult decision to make. Barbosa has about a week to decide whether to opt out of his $7 million-plus deal with the Raptors -- possibly to become the highest-paid basketball player in Brazil.

NBA labor uncertainty, and the prospect of a lost NBA season, drive the Barbosas' thinking. In exploring alternatives, several top clubs in Europe, as well as two soccer-rich Brazilian club teams have emerged as possibilities.

Chief among the alternatives is the Brazilian club Flamengo, which recently brought soccer great Ronaldinho back from Europe, and is looking to capitalize on the strong Brazilian economy. Brazilian basketball now has the full support of the Globo television network, so there is a bigger media stage than ever for Brazilian hoops. Barbosa, the biggest name in Brazilian basketball, is a natural target.

"Leandro received a great deal of interest from many clubs in Europe as well as the richest clubs in Brazil," says Artur. "You probably heard about the proposal from the Flamengo sports club of Rio de Janeiro. Since then we have received big interest from some top clubs in Euroleague who had not imagined that Leandro would strongly consider leaving the NBA."