Anyone remember Antoinne Carr? Top ten pick by the Pistons in the 80's. Told them not to draft him or he was going to Europe. He went to Italy. Have to think a lot more players are going to start using that leverage.

Hoopshype has a great story on the issue: HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Sam Smith » The great escape

Of course, it’s not like the NBA is about to lose its best talent.
There are risks leaving the U.S., terrorism aside. American players tend not to be the most adaptable people to different cultures, and all have heard horror stories of players not being paid or dumped after a bad game. And try collecting in Moscow. FIBA doesn’t exactly stand behind players to guarantee salaries like the NBA does.

But Europe is now starting to see billionaire owners who might like an ego player or two. And the NBA isn’t exactly in boom times. Restricted free agents, like Childress, have trouble getting offers and so few teams are below the salary cap. Many more are close to the luxury tax and refusing to spend anywhere close. Previous wild spenders like the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks are cutting back. The Denver Nuggets, another big luxury tax payer, recently have Marcus Camby, arguably the league’s top defensive player, to the Clippers for, effectively, nothing to save money. Free agents like the Bulls’ Ben Gordon and Luol Deng are getting no offers.

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