Denver Nuggets to sign Josh Childress from the BIG3

The Denver Nuggets are the first team to grab a player from the BIG3 league, signing Josh Childress.

Josh Childress played this summer for the Ball Hogs of the BIG3. He will play next season with the Denver Nuggets. Basketball Insiders’ Michael Scotto reported the deal on Twitter.

Childress is famous for leaving the NBA during the prime of his career to play in Europe. He will also be the first BIG3 player to make the jump to the NBA.

After four seasons playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Childress made an unprecedented move to leave the NBA and go overseas. He joined Greek team Olympiacos Piraeus. The move was financially smart for Childress, who turned down a five-year $33 million deal to stay with Atlanta. The contract in Greece did allow him to opt-out after any season, leaving a door to return to the NBA.

Childress finally made a return to the NBA in 2010, two years after leaving for Greece. Over the next three years he bounced around teams before again leaving the U.S. to play internationally in Australia. He moved back to the U.S. and became part of the D-League, but was unable to stick. He played his last professional season before the BIG3 in Japan.

The BiG3 league was widely popular in it’s inaugural season. The league leaned on its fast paced game and former NBA talent to propel itself forward.

Former NBA players, Allen Iverson, Rashard Lewis and Kenyon Martin were just a few of the names that led the charge for the BIG3. The league held it’s championship game in Las Vegas to a sold out crowd. Former Supersonic and Magic player Rashard Lewis was named the league’s MVP.

Next: Best NBA Teams To Never Win NBA Finals

Childress jumping from BIG3 to the NBA may pave the way for more people to make the jump. Even by losing a player, this is a win for the BIG3. The NBA snatching players from their ranks, it may entice more former players to join the league.