There's a possibility that Sasha Vujacic might end up in Europe come next season. Hat tip to The Lakers Nation.

First Atlanta's Josh Childress headed overseas, signing a lucrative deal from a Greek club. Now Houston's Carl Landry is entertaining offers from across the Atlantic.

Lakers' Sasha Vujacic also has been contacted by several European clubs, according to a Slovenian newspaper. (Probably a good move for him considering no NBA clubs have expressed interest in signing the restricted free agent).

Kobe Bryant said he wouldn't be surprised if Vujacic takes the money and runs to Europe (if the rumors are true) considering the Lakers aren't offering him more than a qualifying one-year deal worth $2.6 million.

"It depends on how much money they're throwing at him," Bryant said. "You got rules (NBA's salary cap), so you're playing with an uneven playing field. So if they want to throw a boatload of money at him." [OC Register Lakers Blog]

Interesting. This Euro fever, presumably sparked by Brandon Jennings' decision to forego the NBA's one-and-done rule, can't be good for the Association. Europe is growing in desirability among NBA players largely because of an influx of wealthy owners willing to dole out the cash to bring in high-profile players and varying tax policies.

It may all be fluke, but the trend is catching on. Could the NBA's image as the world's premiere basketball league be in peril?

[Edit: 6:16pm] Delonte West is in negotiations with Dynamo Moscow for a two year, $10 deal. Jason Kidd is also showing interest.

[Edit: 11:19pm] What started as a rumor, seems to be getting a little more serious.

Lakers reserve guard Sasha Vujacic, a restricted free agent, is prepared to leave the team and accept an offer from a European team in the next few days if the Lakers don't make him an offer he deems fair, according to a source in the Vujacic camp who spoke only on the condition of anonymity.

The source said Vujacic is seeking a multiyear deal from the Lakers averaging about $5 million a year. Vujacic was hoping for a six-year deal, but anticipated it could be shorter contract. [LA Times]

Ouch. $5mil/year? It's going to be an interesting few days, especially considering Mitch's goal going into the offseason was to re-sign both Ronny and Sasha. $5 million a year is a significant increase on Sasha's current contract, which sat at just over $1.75mil.

Putting the situation into perspective yields these results: Vujacic is arguably more valuable than Vlad Radmanovic, who is currently making $5,632,200, and Luke Walton, who is making $4mil. It all backfires, however, when $5mil/year would be more than Derek Fisher's deal by $649,000... not to mention, it dwarfs Andrew Bynum's current contract twice over and change.

The Lakers have a big decision to make in the coming days. LAHB will keep you current.

[Edit: Fri. 10:24am] Big development:

Vujacic, 24, is seeking a deal that will pay him between $5 million and $6 million per season, similar to what Jason Kapono (four years, $24 million from Toronto), James Posey (four years, $25 million from New Orleans) and Mickael Pietrus (four years, $25.1 million from Orlando) got. [Press Enterprise]

So, the deal is on the table; albeit $1mil short of what Sasha wants. Vujacic, who came out of the Finals with "I want be Laker for life," now has his chance to hold true on his statements for the time being. Now, we sit back and wait. As always, LAHB will keep you current.

[Edit: Fri. 3:41pm] We should be getting an answer within the next few hours:

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said he expects a "resolution" to the Sasha Vujacic contract situation later this afternoon.

"I hope it's pro-Lakers," he said. [OC Register Lakers Blog]

[Edit: Fri. 5:01pm] It's over. The Lakers and Vujacic have reached a deal worth a reported $15mil. Read about it.

[Complete Entry at LA Hoops Blog]