VIDEO: David Stern Brings Chainsaw to NBA Negotiations, Shows Off 42-inch Vertical

Marreese Speights Signs In Greece During NBA Lockout, According To Report

Philadelphia 76ers forward Marreese Speights has signed with Panionios Athens in Greece, according to a report.

Xavier Silas signs overseas

Xavier Silas, who had previously been given a verbal commitment to be invited to Sixers training camp (if and when that happens) has decided instead to sign overseas with BCM Gravelines in France, according to Scott Schroeder.

The Sixers had previously asked Silas to pass up on any overseas offers and instead wait to attend their training camp when league activities resume.

Silas averaged 22.3 points and 4.6 rebounds as a Senior with the Northern Illinois Huskies last year, while being named first team All-MAC.

Whether it was the length of the lockout or an overwhelming offer, or a combination of both, that caused Silas to reconsider is currently unknown.

It has yet to be reported whether Silas has an out should the lockout end. Even if he does, without a guaranteed contract (or even an offer), he would likely stay overseas for the duration of the contract.

Thaddeus Young leaning towards staying stateside

While we previously reported that Thaddeus Young was exploring his options in China, in an interview with Slam Online the 76ers restricted free agent says he’s leaning towards staying stateside.

"As of right now—let’s clear this up—I’m not going to China," Young told Slam. "There are definitely a lot of opportunities over there for me, and we’ve been in talks with a lot of different Chinese teams. It’s still not out of the whole picture. But we’re leaning towards staying over here."

Going to China would pose significant risks for Young, as China will only sign NBA players not currently under contract, and will not offer an out clause that will allow him to return to the NBA while he’s under contract, similar to what many European clubs are doing. With Young looking at a sizable payday if the lockout gets resolved, the injury risk and guarantee that he won’t play in the NBA during 2011-2012 would be a gamble.

Young is currently down in Houston with John Lucas, working primarily on developing his mid-range game.

Thaddeus Young Exploring Overseas Options

Thaddeus Young is reportedly exploring the option of playing overseas in the Chinese League.

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NBA players venturing overseas need to understand, practice is just one major difference they will experience abroad.

Sixers Rookie Nikola Vucevic Signs One Year Deal To Play In Europe

The Philadelphia 76ers make Nikola Vucevic the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. However, this year he will be playing for a team called KK Buducnost Podgorica in his native Montenegro. With the NBA lockout preventing rookies from signing or training with their new teams, Vucevic was faced with the possibility of not playing basketball competitively at all this year. So he became the second rookie of the 2011 class to sign overseas.

For Vucevic, who hails form Europe in the first place, it will likely be an easier transition. If the NBA does ever get it’s act to together and agree to a new CBA, Vucevic does have an out clause in his contract that will allow him to leave when the NBA resumes.

If/when that does happen, Vucevic will already be in playing shape and have gained some experience playing competitively overseas. It may not be top level experience that gets him ready to face NBA competition, but if he actually does play it’s probably better than just spending the offseaon in a gym stateside.

76ers Rookie Nikola Vucevic Close To Signing Overseas