TnT Texters import NBA clearance held

MANILA, Philippines - Talk ‘N’ Text has appealed to the NBA for clearance to allow Othyus Jeffers to continue playing with the Tropa in the PBA Governors Cup but nobody is holding his breath for it and assuming he measures within the 6-5 limit for imports, replacement Rodney Carney will suit up for the Texters against Rain Or Shine in Biñan, Laguna, tonight.

 Jeffers, 28, received a conditional release from FIBA, pending NBA clearance, to play for Talk ‘N’ Text against Meralco last May 21 and promptly torched the Bolts with 38 points in keying a 105-99 victory. Then came a notice from Jeffers’ last NBA team Minnesota that clearance has been withheld by the NBA.

 Jeffers’ case revolves around a technicality. He was signed to a contract by the Timberwolves last April 8 or eight days before the end of the NBA regular season on April 16. Jeffers could’ve been offered a 10-day contract as he had signed four 10-day deals before, once with San Antonio in 2011, twice with Washington in 2011 and once more with San Antonio this past season. Once a 10-day contract lapses, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent and may sign with any team in any league of his choice.

 The problem in Jeffers’ case was there were less than 10 days left in the season. Besides, a 10-day contract meant paying a lump sum while signing until the end of the season, in this case for eight days, meant paying a staggered amount. Because Jeffers was signed to a contract until the end of the season, he is technically tied up with the Timberwolves until June 30 which under the terms of the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), is when the season ends.

 Carney, 30, was scheduled to arrive in Manila at midnight today from Indianapolis with two layovers.  Although he is listed anywhere between 6-6 and 6-7 in US scouting reports, Carney came in at 6-4 3/4 on his bare feet during official NBA sizing. Carney was the Chicago Bulls’ first round pick in the 2006 NBA draft and has played for Philadelphia, Minnesota, Golden State and Memphis in five seasons, averaging 5.9 points in 299 career games. He played four years with the University of Memphis varsity and finished his collegiate stint as the Tigers’ all-time leader in three-pointers made. A varsity teammate was two-time Alaska import Rob Dozier.

 The Timberwolves actually released Jeffers and posed no objection to his playing in the PBA. But NBA commissioner Adam Silver put his foot down in sticking to the rules of the CBA, refusing to allow a precedent. Under the rules, a player signed until the end of the season must clear waivers, meaning all the league’s teams must reject picking him up, before becoming a free agent. The NBA clearance is necessary for FIBA to allow Jeffers to play in the PBA. FIBA gave a conditional release earlier as it had not received word from the NBA although Minnesota had cleared Jeffers. When the NBA explained its position, FIBA withdrew its clearance.

 â€œWe’ve made a final appeal to the NBA,” said Talk ‘N’ Text team manager Paolo Trillo. “We’re still hoping to play Othyus. We’ll be waiting for a few more days but once we find out the NBA’s decision is final, Othyus will be heading back home.”

 Without Jeffers in the lineup, the Texters battled Alaska at the Big Dome last Monday and dropped a 103-91 decision. Alaska import Henry Walker compiled 27 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Aces’ charge.

 Jeffers was never drafted but has played for Utah, San Antonio, Washington and Minnesota in 37 games over three seasons. He played four games with the Spurs and two with the Timberwolves this year. Born in the rough Chicago West Side, Jeffers lost two brothers to gunshot wounds and was himself shot in the leg growing up but was determined to beat poverty through basketball. This past season, he was named co-MVP in the NBA D-League and worked his way back to the NBA.

 A source said Jeffers presumed his contract with Minnesota had expired when the Timberwolves missed out on the playoffs and never consulted his agent on whether he could jump to another league before the June 30 cut-off. The Timberwolves are not likely to retain Jeffers but under the rules, he must remain in the NBA rolls until June 30 because he was signed for the rest of the season and not on a 10-day contract. That technicality is why Jeffers must be put on hold by the NBA until he officially clears waivers after June 30. Without the NBA clearance, FIBA will not issue a release for Jeffers.