Kevin Garnett is seeing a strong likelihood of the NBA going global. He’s watching the proceedings in other leagues to gauge the temperature on the home court. And he thinks NBA stars are looking at earning big bucks by attracting an international audience. The world of soccer has a precedent for the same.
The gossip mill is rife with speculation that the NBA is open to investments from overseas. According to Garnett, that could be very lucrative to the players.
Kevin Garnett foresees NBA’s future
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It’s not only the influx of international players the NBA is welcoming. Rumor has it that the league is inviting foreign investment into franchises and the league. Many are wary of it. Kevin Garnett is observing it all.
Garnett was on The Stephen A. Smith Show and both sportscasters had to discuss this possible game-changer. KG brought up the example of LIV Golf and Saudi Arabia’s intense resolve to start its own sports leagues. Saying he’s heard the NBA open to Gulf stakeholders in teams, Garnett said, ” I look forward to whatever interjection they have. ”
Most NBA fans worry the foreign leagues will use this opening to snatch league faves with big offers. Even the Big Ticket thinks that’s a possibility with how it’s going in the soccer world. ” I saw the numbers they thrown out to Messi, I saw what they threw the Mbappe.. .” he said, adding, ” The Saudis jump in here and start making noise in the league bro that’s gonna change a lot. ”
While Lionel Messi is in the US now, the Argentine shockingly turned down a $400 million a year – $1.6 billion for three years- offer to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Kylian Mbappe was offered around $330 million. After Messi refused, Giannis Antetokounmpo jokingly tweeted Al-Hilal could have him for that price. Even LeBron James and Draymond Green got in on that joke.
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While we have some doubts about the Bucks player’s soccer skills, fans are afraid Saudi Arabia could steal him from Milwaukee to their domestic basketball league.
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NBA comes full circle with Kevin Garnett
The situation with the PGA and LIV Golf concerned NBA fans. They worry if their favorite players will opt to play for higher-paying overseas leagues.
Stephen A. Smith is all for it and he used Kevin Garnett as an example. The Minnesota Timberwolves were willing to sign 21-year-old KG to a $126 million contract. It triggered a negative response on Garnett’s worth in 1997. Fast forward to 2023, ” Nah, he was smart, he was ahead of the curb he took those dollars he manufactured and transitioned that into something greater ,” Smith said about KG signing the richest contract in pro-sports history at that time.
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KG didn’t outrightly state his opinion but he sees players have a higher chance of earning above the NBA supermax restrictions overseas. What do you think about that possibility?
