The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Euroleague Basketball have announced that three Euroleague teams will compete in five NBA preseason games from October 10-21, 2008. The five games, which are part of the Euroleague American Tour, will be played by 2008 Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow (Russia), FC Barcelona (Spain) and Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania). The teams may face up to five NBA opponents including the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic, the Toronto Raptors, and possibly the Los Angeles Clippers.

"These games continue our collaboration with Euroleague Basketball, as we work together to grow the game of basketball on a global basis," said NBA Commissioner David Stern.

The Euroleague American Tour continues a tradition of friendly competition between the NBA and Euroleague Basketball, dating back to 1978 when Maccabi Tel Aviv played the Washington Bullets in Tel Aviv, Israel. Following the 2008 preseason schedule, 33 games will have been played between the two leagues since Euroleague Basketball was created in 2000, including 13 games during NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS in 2006 and 2007.

"We value the chance to partner with NBA teams in their own arenas," Euroleague Basketball CEO Jordi Bertomeu said. "There are basketball fans of all types in North America whom we plan to entertain with our own distinct playing style. We are sure they will appreciate again that the international game has a lot to offer our sport."

The Euroleague American Tour tips off on October 10 in Orlando, Florida, when six-time Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow makes its North American debut against the Orlando Magic. CSKA's second preseason game will take place in Toronto, Canada, when CSKA plays the Toronto Raptors on October 14.

FC Barcelona play two games as part of the Preseason Shootout, hosted by the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The 2008 NBA Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers will be Barcelona's first opponent on Oct. 18, followed by the either Los Angeles Clippers or Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19. For Barcelona, founded in 1926, the games in Los Angeles will be their first played in the United States.

ORACLE Arena in Oakland, Calif. will be the final site of the Euroleague's American Tour when the Golden State Warriors hosts Lietuvos Rytas on Oct. 21. Rytas is the 2005 ULEB Cup champion and hold five Lithuanian League crowns.

For the third consecutive year, NBA teams will participate in preseason games abroad. The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, and Washington Wizards will play four games in Barcelona, Berlin, London, and Paris as part of NBA Europe Live 2008.

At one point, the Grizzlies were offering a package that included either Kyle Lowry or Javaris Crittenton for Nenad Krstic.

The Bulls have a $5.2 million trade exception from the Ben Wallace/Larry Hughes trade and were contemplating throwing in a future first-round pick.

Agent Marc Cornstein has confirmed to Chad Ford of ESPN.com that former Net Nenad Krstic has officially signed a two year contract with Triumph Moscow early Tuesday morning.

The deal is worth around $9 million per year in the United States once the exchange rate is factored in and the fact that European clubs pay all the players' taxes, according to Ford.

Krstic joins Josh Childress, Bostjan Nachbar, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jorge Garbajosa, Carlos Delfino, and Primoz Brezec as NBA players who opted to play for more money overseas this year. Three of the six are Cornstein clients.

According to the report, Cornstein worked until midnight Eastern time trying to find an NBA team willing to pay Krstic at least a mid-level contract to keep him in the NBA, but after the deadline passed Kstic signed the European deal.

"I think you almost have NBA teams being overly cautious at this point," one Eastern Conference GM told Insider. "With so many teams so close to the luxury tax, teams are unwilling to take risks. Krstic was a risk. A small one, but a risk. We are certainly seeing the effects of the collective bargaining agreement this year. But these things are cyclical. If lots of teams had cap room, Childress, Krstic, and others would be playing in the NBA."

Nets forward Nenad Krstic was close to signing a contract in Moscow on Monday night, which could place him as the latest player still wanted in the NBA that has left for Europe, the New York Daily News is reporting.

A source close to the situation said Krstic had a "preliminary agreement" in place and a midnight deadline to sign the contract. He also agreed to not negotiate with any other teams outside of the NBA.

The Nets were said to be considering sign-and-trade options earlier this summer, a scenario that was still an option if Krstic's Russian contract didn't work out.

New Jersey is heavy on forwards, and according to the article Sean Williams and Stromile Swift are believed to be on the trading block.

Nets officials would not publicly discuss Krstic's possible Russian contract but a team official with knowledge of it said, "I think he may be headed that way."

The Golden State Warriors have acquired guard Marcus Williams from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for a conditional first round draft choice, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin.  

Williams, 22, was a member of the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team with New Jersey following the 2006-07 campaign, when he averaged 6.8 points and 3.3 assists in 79 games (16.6 mpg).  He was selected to play with the rookie squad in the 2007 Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas and his season assist total (260) represented the third-most all-time for a Nets? first-year player. His rookie season was highlighted by a career-high 27 point performance against the Suns in Phoenix (11/24/06).

?We are happy to add a player like Marcus to our roster,? said Mullin.  ?We felt that we needed to acquire another point guard and a player who is capable of running our offense and expanding our depth. We feel that Marcus can contribute to our cause next season.?

The Nets have traded point guard Marcus Williams to the Warriors, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

According to the Post, the Nets will receive a future first-round pick for Williams, 22, who is entering the final year of his contract.

The New Jersey Nets have lost Bostjan Nachbar to Russian powerhouse Dynamo Moscow, the New York Post is reporting.

Nachbar is getting three years at $14.3 million, but he estimates it's more like three years for $30 million due to exchange rates and tax implications.

"For starters, here you lose half to taxes," he said.

"I'm happy with this deal, extremely happy. It's a once in a lifetime deal," Nachbar said. "I just couldn't turn it down even though I always wanted to stay in the NBA, and I wanted to remain with New Jersey."

The New Jersey Nets have acquired guard Keyon Dooling from the Orlando Magic in exchange for cash considerations, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

"Keyon is a versatile NBA veteran, and we are pleased to add him to our roster," said Thorn.  "His ability to play both the point and shooting guard positions will add flexibility and depth to our backcourt rotation."

The Chicago Bulls will be playing in the Vegas Summer League in 2009, and Boston and New Jersey could also be on their way next season.

"Chicago is coming next year; Boston is talking about returning, and so is New Jersey," LeGarie said. "I think 24 teams is the max to maintain the quality of the league."

The sign and trade which will see guard Keyon Dooling become the latest member of the revamped New Jersey Nets is pending league approval, according to ESPN News Services.

Dooling, who will get a three year contract averaging $3 million a season, will be acquired using the trade exception New Jersey received in the Jason Kidd trade.

In return, the Orlando Magic will get cash considerations.