REPORT: KRSTIC SIGNS WITH RUSSIAN TEAM

REPORT: KRSTIC SIGNS WITH RUSSIAN TEAM
By: Paul Flannery
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According to a report on Interbasket.net, Nenad Krstic has signed a two-year contract with Russian power CSKA Moscow. Krstic played in Russia between NBA stops in New Jersey and Oklahoma City. He would have been an NBA free agent on July 1 and the Celtics had interest in bringing him back. They will now have to replace him and Shaquille O'Neal at the center position.

Krstic averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds after arriving from Oklahoma City as part of the Kendrick Perkins trade. He got off to a fast start, but his production dropped along with his confidence. He also suffered a plair of knee injuries.

112288

Interesting. I wonder how much of his decision was based on the possibility of a lockout.

No great loss. He wasn't going to rock anybody's world anyway.

MD

This is good news. Perhaps now the Celtics can build their center and backup center position with Celtic type players verses hand me downs.

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I think we are losing a guy who could be one of the best backup centers in the league.

Very unfortunate.

Krstic was an offensive threat we could have really used and underrated as a defender.

I was looking forward to seeing what he could do over a full season and after a full camp. We'll have our work cut out replacing him as we now have no reliable center on our roster.

I'll agree with Bob that he might have been one of the best backup centers around and possibly even our starter because of J O'Neal's limitations.

This is not good but it probably will improve Baby'a bargaining position.

All is not lost. From what I read on ESPN. He can play for Russia until the lockout/strike is over. He has an op out clause to allow him to play in the NBA this coming season.

112288

112288,

That has to be one of the most unusual contract provisions ever. So, in effect, if it miraculously turns out that there is no lockout (probably a real longshot), he could wind up not playing for Russia at all? Sort of "lockout insurance?" Nenad obviously has a good agent or lawyer.

Sam

Sam,

Here is part of the article talking about the contract. Pretty slick!


Report: Krstic to Russia?
June, 9, 2011

By Chris Forsberg


Is Nenad Krstic heading overseas with the NBA headed towards a lockout?
Celtics center Nenad Krstic has agreed to a two-year, 6 million euro ($8.8 million) deal with CSKA Moscow, according to a report by the Russian International News Agency.

Requests to confirm the potential deal, which likely cannot be completed until Krstic's NBA deal officially expires later this month, were not immediately returned by Krstic's European management firm, Invictus Sports Group. Krstic joined Invictus late last month to manage his overseas opportunities.

Since the Celtics were bounced from the playoffs by the Miami Heat last month, there have been numerous reports of overseas interest in Krstic, who will be an unrestricted free agent. The Serbia native is no stranger to international ball and it should come as no surprise that he'd be interested in potentially playing there during an NBA work stoppage.

During the offseason following the 2007-08 season, Krstic signed an almost identical deal with Russian Super League team Triumph Lyubertsy that included an NBA opt-out option, which Krstic utilized to then sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder in December of 2008.

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sam wrote:112288,

That has to be one of the most unusual contract provisions ever. So, in effect, if it miraculously turns out that there is no lockout (probably a real longshot), he could wind up not playing for Russia at all? Sort of "lockout insurance?" Nenad obviously has a good agent or lawyer.

Sam

Really!

Being a 7 foot multi-national has it's advantages; you get to play ball and get paid no matter what.

Other than perhaps being a tight fit in a Ferrari it sounds like mostly upside for Nenad!