Column: NBA players won _ and always will

To make those moves, the players would have to take a haircut — let's say Paul gets $60 million long-term from the Knicks, vs. $70 million to stay in New Orleans. And the clubs that sign them would have to pay additional luxury taxes. But if you think either of those factors will be a real drag on player movement — check out the soaring stock price on Madison Square Garden Co. since the tentative deal was reached — you haven't been paying attention. Plus, Stern's unceasing effort the past two decades to globalize the game has brought with it increased competition.

But the players better be careful what they wish for. While Singler is only too happy to stay in Spain, NBA free agents Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Patty Mills, Kenyon Martin and Aaron Brooks may wind up languishing in China. They all signed to play in the Chinese Basketball Association ahead of the lockout and chances are good they're stuck there for the season, proving what goes around sometimes comes around, too.

Jim Litke is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke(at)ap.org. Follow him at http://Twitter.com/JimLitke.