"That's right, right this way, please step forward. Okay, forwards, please line up behind the Olympiakos sign, guards and centers, please line up behind the Maccabi Tel Aviv sign."Carlos Arroyo has gotten in line.
Marc Stein, who may or may not be omniscient (seriously, who sits around asking "You know what I haven't checked on in a while? Whether Carlos Arroyo is looking at an Israeli basketball offer. I should look into that. "?), reports that the former Orlando point guard has accepted a three year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv, which will net him $2.5 million next year. Not exactly the wallet buster Josh Childress got, but a nice chunk of change regardless for the 29 year old point guard that lost his gig last season. Arroyo started last season in contention for the starting spot for the Magic, then went to a backup role behind Jameer Nelson, before eventually not appearing hardly at all except to make sure Jameer Nelson didn't hurt himself by playing too much. When you lose your job to a guy who was heavily responsible for the Magic's self-destruct versus the Pistons and who the Magic had not interest in retaining, yeah, a change of scenery might be nice.
This is much more likely to be the last effect of the NBA Overseas Defection Watch List. Players that are better than the minimum, but not good enough for solid rotation or a significant chunk of change can head over and get paid. No word yet on whether the Israeli airlines plan on instituting a bulk discount for former Magic and Heat players.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-04-2008 @ 7:53AM
Ryne Nelson said...
Good move for Arroyo; he fits the European mold perfectly in that he would never have a chance to make that type of cash in the states. I wonder if this guy will even think about coming back to the League...
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8-04-2008 @ 11:49AM
harveybarnes2317 said...
I don't see the reason for going negative on Carlos Arroyo. How quickly would the author of this article back his bag and move to Europe if somebody offered him 2.5 mil for the next three years? The guy had a decent career and was never really in contention for a sarting role, so why not?
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9-09-2008 @ 7:06AM
Rick said...
is easy to call mediocre a guy who never get a chance for been hispanic and to be the executioner of the dream team , you oviously never seen him play the backcourt with sharp shooter larry Ayuso , he was on his way on Utah before he beat the dream team ,13 pp 5 ass in a almost complete year , and then suddently , bench cuz they want to devolope other point guards , that bull , good luck in the europe league Carlos anyways they almost caught the nba talent wise
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9-20-2008 @ 8:14PM
Bebepr33 said...
He never have that chance to be the player he can be in the league, he can be a strarter in some teams but the league always refuse to give him that chance, only with the Jazz he prove he can contribute as a starter an then the problems begins with Mr. "S" thats it!!
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