Sixers big man Brackins signs with club in Israel

76ers big man Craig Brackins has signed with Maccabi Ashdod of the Israeli Basketball Super League.

The contract is for less than the entire season, running only through December, and includes an opt-out clause if the currently locked out NBA resumes play before the contract's conclusion.

Terms of the overseas deal were not known, but Brackins is under contract with the Sixers for $1.4 million this season.

Brackins, 23, is the second member of the Sixers to sign overseas. Around the NBA, certain players - mostly role players or young guys like Brackins - have opted for overseas contracts during the lockout, which began July 1. Last week, the team's first-round draft pick, center Nikola Vucevic, signed with KK Buducnost Podgorica in his home country of Montenegro. Vucevic also has an opt-out clause should the NBA resume play."

Members of both the NBA Players Association and the league ownership group are scheduled to meet in New York sometime this week. It will be only the second meeting between the sides since the lockout began.

Brackins' situation is different from most on the Sixers as he appeared in only three games during the 2010-11 season and played only 33 minutes; he spent a good chunk of the season with the Springfield Armor of the NBA D-League.

The Sixers hold a team option of $1.5 million for Brackins for the 2012-13 season.

According to Brackins' agent, Andy Miller, the motivating factor in his client's decision to sign with Maccabi was gaining professional playing experience. While other players have hundreds of games under their belts, Brackins needs as much court time as possible.

"We agreed it would help in this period, especially after missing summer league," said Miller, referring to the cancellation of the NBA's typical summer schedule, in which Brackins would have played.

Because of Maccabi's location in a country where English is spoken, and because the roster already includes one of Miller's clients, guard Ramel Bradley, it seemed like an easy transition for Brackins.

Brackins is currently working out with other members of the Sixers in Los Angeles and is expected to leave for Israel in a week to 10 days.