Carlos Boozer: "If the lockout continues, I definitely plan on playing overseas."

Ever since the NBA Lockout commenced, there have been rumblings about players opting to play overseas in the event of regular season games being missed. With the league and its players so far apart in their negotiations, it's looking increasingly likely that at least part, if not all, of the 2011-2012 NBA season might be missed. There is of course well over two months before that becomes a reality, but with each passing day, more reports surface of players planning to take their talents overseas. ↵↵

Add Chicago Bulls F Carlos Boozer to that list. On Wednesday afternoon, Boozer told ESPN The Magazine that he will try to sign with a foreign team were the new season to not start on time: ↵↵

"I think as players we have to look at this lockout as an unfortunate challenge, but one that can create other unique and positive opportunities," he said. "When I was part of Team USA that won Olympic Gold in Beijing, that experience changed my life in incredible ways.↵↵

"If the NBA season gets delayed or postponed, I plan on using those months to experience something similar to what I did in the summer of 2008. That's why, if the lockout continues, I definitely plan on playing overseas."

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It is not clear if Boozer already has an offer in place or if he's just decided that he's comfortable sharing his plans to explore other options for this year. I personally have a hard time seeing guys like Kobe Bryant or other mega-stars playing overseas, but Boozer, despite being one of the better-paid players in the league, seems like the type who would embrace that type of experience for a year. Hopefully all this chatter from the players convinces the owners to get serious about bargaining with a greater sense of urgency and open-mindedness. It's getting more and more impossible to believe that all these players are merely bluffing when they say they have no reservations playing outside the U.S. this year if the lockout threatens the new season.↵↵