If I understand this correctly, the CBA states that after what would have been a first rounders third contract year had he signed in the summer directly after being drafted, the NBA team is not held to the rookie contract structure any longer and can sign their player to a larger amount, as long as they have their mid-level exception.
So, as long as there's a reasonable buyout or other agreement made with his Freeland's current team, we could pry him away from Europe with a portion of or the full mid-level exception this summer.
Many people thought the draft and stash of International Players was fruitless. If the above happens, I think we'll find this is the new approach to drafting non-collegiate players. We'll probably see San Antonio do the same with Splitter; Minnesota with Rubio; and again us with Claver and Koponen. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Instead of having these talented, but young guys at the end of our bench or playing in Boise (sorry Mook, no offense intended), they can improve exponentially faster with bigger, more substantial roles overseas.
Europe is our Developmental League!
