Andrew Bogut signs on for NBL stint with Sydney Kings while NBA lockout continues

[d_eye]

Tim Morrissey
The Daily Telegraph

FIRST REPORT: Andrew Bogut has officially pledged to be a King pushing Sydney closer to pulling off the biggest signing in NBL history.

The NBA superstar has just tweeted that he will join the Kings for the 2011-12 NBL season as soon as the insurance policy that covers Bogut's three-year $39 million NBA contract with the Milwaukee Bucks is signed off.


Bogut's management team said on Twitter:: "Update on @AndrewMBogut. He is committed to the @NBL. He would like to play for @thesydneykings. Insurance is still not finalised".

Both the Kings and Bogut have been frustrated by the delays in getting the deal done, however, it is understood the insurance policy from Europe should be finalised tonight.

Even itf the policy does come through, Bogut will not suit up for the Kings in Saturday's season opener against the Melbourne Tigers.

Bogut has continued to express his desire to play in the Australian league since it became clear the NBA lockout would not be resolved before the season opener and was courted by several NBL teams including the Perth Wildcats, Adelaide 36ers and Gold Coast Blaze.

Today Bogut made it clear he will only play for the Kings for as long as the lockout remains in place.

Talks between the NBA and the players' association completely broke down yesterday, with no plan for the warring parties to hold further discussions in the immediate future.

Bogut met with Kings officials earlier this month at Neil Perry's Rockpool restaurant


now we can watch something half decent in the off season.

 

[Chicharito]

will be good for the league with bogut around

 

[pillow]

they still play basketball in australia?

 

[BaYry Ward]

Deal is off. He can't get insurance.

 

[Doga]

What a fall from grace

 

[vietorious]

LOL he would have averages a triple double every game.

20pts, 20boards and 10blocks.

 

[ByRd]

What a fall from grace

Ummm what, he is only playing here while the NBA is on lockout, once the season starts up again he will be on the first plane out!!!

 

[Doga]

Ummm what, he is only playing here while the NBA is on lockout, once the season starts up again he will be on the first plane out!!!

oh, my bad

 

[VAI]

great stuff for the NBL

this will help their massively struggling comp no end

 

[marsvolta]

apparently the dispute was over 'a few words' in the contract. lol. like changing 'will pay' to 'will not pay'?

 

[B-Train]

It's a huge shame for Basketball in Australia and obviously the NBL and Kings. He was willing to play for next to nothing to help the game out which is very noble. He could have easily gone to Europe where teams could pay his insurance or to China but opted to try and boost the league here. He should be commended for that and it's a huge opportunity missed for the NBL to try and re-establish themselves as a league where people outside of Basketball notice them again. This could have started the ball rolling.

 

[Doggiezbrah]

Can anyone explain to me why the NBA is in lockdown?

 

[masterdog]

it's a dispute over the new collective bargaining agreement since the old one expired last season it's something to do with who gets the most money apparently from what ive heard most of the players have agreed on their part of the deals which is basically the same, it's only the owners from struggling teams that are holding them by refusing to accept.

 

[masterdog]

i also have to say with bogut the kings would have formidable pairing with julian khazzouh

 

[will.i.am]

Would of been a massive coup for the Kings and the NBL.

Shame it couldn't come to fruition

 

[Doggiezbrah]

it's a dispute over the new collective bargaining agreement since the old one expired last season it's something to do with who gets the most money apparently from what ive heard most of the players have agreed on their part of the deals which is basically the same, it's only the owners from struggling teams that are holding them by refusing to accept.

Thanks buddy! Hope it gets resolved soon.