Aaron Jackson went public on Twitter earlier in the off-season regarding the need for a players union for the EuroLeague, very much like the NBPA in the NBA.
His stance on the matter hasn’t changed.
Jackson, who wrapped up his negotiations in early July by inking a two-year deal in China with Beijing Ducks described free agency overseas as a nightmare.
“There needs to be something where they can regulate it,” Jackson told Basketball Insiders.
“Players get signed in the season; there’s no set date. Agents come at you with different deals; back door deals. There are so many different ways and hard ways to stay focused especially during the season when you hear so many rumours.
“It’s not the NBA where you say, ‘Okay, these rumours mean nothing because you can’t talk to anyone or nothing means anything until July 1.’ These rumours are coming and it can happen. It can be a back door deal and you can be signed right away and you’re still on a team. You have agents in Europe that have connections with teams and they push their players.”
Jackson established himself as one of the top guards in Europe, spending five seasons with CSKA Moscow team that also featured Milos Teodosic, Nando De Colo, Cory Higgins and Kyle Hines.
The 31-year-old averaged 7.9 points, 3.8 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 66 games last season. He won numerous accolades, including the EuroLeague title in 2016 and five straight VTB League crowns from 2013 to last season.
