Knicks City Forums

Jonny B · 08-23-2008, 07:24 AM

NBA teams cleared to negotiate with Iranians

By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports Aug 20, 7:01 pm EDT

Buzz Up
Print

More From Adrian Wojnarowski

Olympic glory too high a cost for NBA Aug 22, 2008
Argentina's star shines bright on court Aug 21, 2008

BEIJING – After receiving U.S. government approval, Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi has been cleared to sign with NBA teams, Yahoo! Sports has learned.

The NBA sent out an email to executives late Wednesday afternoon informing its 30 teams they were free to enter into negotiations with the 7-foot-2 Iranian Olympian, as well as one of his teammates on Iran’s national team: guard Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbahrami.
Just five days ago, the NBA had informed its general managers that they were forbidden to enter into negotiations with Ehadadi, pending a license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. The license was granted and Ehadadi, 23, who averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds for winless Iran in Beijing, is a free agent.

On Friday, the NBA had told its teams, “We have been advised that a federal statue prohibits a person or organization in the United States from engaging in business dealings with Iranian nationals.”
Even with the clearance, the NBA ordered its teams Wednesday to contact the league office before signing either player to a contract because the OFAC license still “restricts the manner in which any financial payments can be made.” Teams also were urged to keep all documents related to any negotiations.
Several league executives believe the Memphis Grizzlies are the most likely to sign Ehadadi, who wasn’t chosen in the 2004 NBA Draft.
Commissioner David Stern invited the Iranian national team to compete in July’s NBA summer league in Utah, allowing the team a pre-Olympics tune-up. When NBA teams started to show an interest in signing Ehadadi, Stern had league counsel begin the process of clearing a path through this complicated circumstance with the U.S. State Department.
After his most impressive game of these Olympics – 21 points and 16 rebounds in a 97-82 loss to Argentina – Ehadadi, a center, said through an assistant coach, Mehran Hatami, “It is my dream to play in the NBA.”

eastflatknick · 08-23-2008, 02:20 PM

Interesting, at least from a geopolitical standpoint lol.

Jonny B · 08-23-2008, 07:19 PM

Interesting that he can rebound and block shots at a high level against NBA caliber players. Let's see. The Knicks need a Euro style center who can run the floor and play defense... Sure, he is a project, but we have an empty roster space available....

08-23-2008, 07:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jonny B Superstar Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,940	Ehadadi, 7-2 Iranian Free Agent cleared to play NBA teams cleared to negotiate with Iranians By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports Aug 20, 7:01 pm EDT Buzz Up Print More From Adrian Wojnarowski Olympic glory too high a cost for NBA Aug 22, 2008 Argentina's star shines bright on court Aug 21, 2008 BEIJING – After receiving U.S. government approval, Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi has been cleared to sign with NBA teams, Yahoo! Sports has learned. The NBA sent out an email to executives late Wednesday afternoon informing its 30 teams they were free to enter into negotiations with the 7-foot-2 Iranian Olympian, as well as one of his teammates on Iran’s national team: guard Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbahrami. Just five days ago, the NBA had informed its general managers that they were forbidden to enter into negotiations with Ehadadi, pending a license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. The license was granted and Ehadadi, 23, who averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds for winless Iran in Beijing, is a free agent. On Friday, the NBA had told its teams, “We have been advised that a federal statue prohibits a person or organization in the United States from engaging in business dealings with Iranian nationals.” Even with the clearance, the NBA ordered its teams Wednesday to contact the league office before signing either player to a contract because the OFAC license still “restricts the manner in which any financial payments can be made.” Teams also were urged to keep all documents related to any negotiations. Several league executives believe the Memphis Grizzlies are the most likely to sign Ehadadi, who wasn’t chosen in the 2004 NBA Draft. Commissioner David Stern invited the Iranian national team to compete in July’s NBA summer league in Utah, allowing the team a pre-Olympics tune-up. When NBA teams started to show an interest in signing Ehadadi, Stern had league counsel begin the process of clearing a path through this complicated circumstance with the U.S. State Department. After his most impressive game of these Olympics – 21 points and 16 rebounds in a 97-82 loss to Argentina – Ehadadi, a center, said through an assistant coach, Mehran Hatami, “It is my dream to play in the NBA.”

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-23-2008, 02:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
eastflatknick Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,686	Interesting, at least from a geopolitical standpoint lol.

08-23-2008, 07:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jonny B Superstar Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,940	Interesting that he can rebound and block shots at a high level against NBA caliber players. Let's see. The Knicks need a Euro style center who can run the floor and play defense... Sure, he is a project, but we have an empty roster space available....

Sponsored links
Knicks City Forums Advertisement