You know that ever-expanding list of NBA players who have made or are thinking of making the jump to Europe? Add another to the list: Andris Biedrins. Biedrins is still trying to get a contract out of the Warriors, and while he hasn't actively pursued any European opportunities, Rade Filipovich, one of his agents, told Sporting News last night that at least three Russian teams have been in contact with him. And let's face it, if push comes to shove and the Warriors balk at giving Biedrins a Monta Ellis-sized contract, returning to his home continent wouldn't be very hard at all for the Latvian native:
"Russia is not far for him," Filipovich said. "The language, all of that. It would almost be like going home for him."Given the recent wave of NBA players cashing in their dollars for Euros, it'd be foolish for the Warriors to take a hardline attitude with Biedrins during negotiations. At the very least, the team ought to consider a sign-and-trade, since merely holding onto his rights after he leaves for Europe wouldn't be a cap-friendly decision, either.
Most likely, all of this talk will be for nothing as I fully expect the Warriors to man up and give Biedrins a fair market offer -- it's just that the "market" for NBA-caliber players has greatly expanded over the last several weeks.
