Does World Basketball Need a Soccer-Style Transfer System?

The NBA, along with most pro sports leagues, has had competition from outside sources throughout its history. Competition for all-around athletes with football and faseball, competition from the flashy ABA, competition between US-born and foreign players. Never before, however, has it had serious competition from foreign teams. This new "threat," which became clear when Josh Childress signed with a Greek team, is not necessarily bad. As other writers on this site and elsewhere have pointed out, the NBA has been pillaging other nations' players for years. This has added to the competitiveness of many NBA teams, most notably the Spurs. Sure there have been busts, but it has also allowed the NBA brand to expand greatly. Yao certainly generates excitement for the league in China, but T-Mac has also become a huge revenue-generating figure there as well.  But it can work both ways. Childress left the NBA, yes, and is probably generating excitement in Greece. But just as many US soccer fans ... (link)