NBA Players Can't Play In Europe

A federal judge Wednesday refused to grant a temporary restraining order to allow three NBA players to play the rest of the season in Europe.

Nick Van Exel of the Denver Nuggets, Marcus Camby of the New York Knicks and Reggie Slater of the Toronto Raptors had sued the NBA and USA Basketball, accusing both entities failing to provide them with unconditional letters of clearance that would allow them to finish the season in Europe even if the lockout ended.

After a 3½-hour hearing, U.S. District Judge Simeon Lake rejected the players' bid but said they were entitled to arbitration.

"We welcome the opportunity," said Bryant, who represents all three players. "The problem has been until now there has been no remedy anywhere. It's a victory to have the opportunity to present that."

Last week, a state court judge refused to grant the players an injunction.

The case was moved to federal court after USA Basketball argued the lawsuit raised issues covered by federal labor laws.

Jeffrey Mishkin, chief legal officer for the NBA, praised the judge's decision and said the players had "no basis at all for this lawsuit."

"We have said repeatedly that NBA players are free during the lockout to pursue other employment," Mishkin said. "But if and when the lockout ends, they are required to fulfill the remaining terms of their existing NBA contracts."

American players cannot play overseas without clearance from USA Basketball, the governing body for basketball in the United States. The organization and the NBA have said players may wok overseas as long as they adhere to their NBA contracts should the lockout end.

In their lawsuit, Van Exel, Camby and Slater argued that the organizations were illegally placing conditions on them. They also insisted that no European teams would hire them if there was a possibility they might have to leave to return to the NBA.

All three players have one year left on their NBA contracts. The athletes had said an immediate injunction was necessary because European teams do not permit players to be added to the playoff roster after a cutoff date that is rapidly approaching.

The NBA lockout has been in effect for almost six months, and the first three months of the season have already been scrapped.

Commissioner David Stern says he'll recommend the entire season be scrubbed if there's no agreement with players by Jan. 7. Union director Billy Hunter told players Wednesday that a new offer will soon be given to the owners.

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