Former Atlanta swingman Josh Childress has signed a three-year, $32.5 million contract with Greek powerhouse Olympiakos, rather than accepting a deal from the Hawks. Childress, 25, is the first player at this stage of his career to spurn the NBA for an international alternative.

Atlanta had offered him a five-year, $33million contract. But the Hawks' slow-paced negotiating tactics and the limits of restricted free agency, combined with what Childress called Wednesday the “opportunity of a lifetime,” resulted in his decision.

Whether others follow remains to be seen.

“I've talked with a few guys and it could become a trend,” said Childress, whose net pay from Olympiakos will be $20million.

One Greek newspaper reported that representatives for at least two other players contacted Olympiakos to let the team know that if Childress declined, they'd be interested in the same offer.

Childress finished sixth in the voting for the NBA's Sixth Man award.

L.A. CLIPPERS: Los Angeles acquired Jason Hart, 30, from Utah for former Charlotte Bobcat Brevin Knight in a swap of point guards. Hart, also a former Bobcat, averaged 10.6 minutes in 57 games for the Jazz last season. Knight, 32, averaged 4.6 points, 4.4 assists and 22.6 minutes in 74 games last season. He finished second in the NBA with a 4.62-1 assists-to-turnover ratio.

MINNESOTA:Sebastian Telfair signed a two-year deal that includes a player option for a third season. He averaged 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

NEW ORLEANS:James Posey, a reserve on Boston's championship team last season and Miami's two seasons before that, signed a four-year, $25million contract. The versatile 6-foot-8 forward averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 74 regular-season games for Boston. In nine seasons with five teams, Posey's averaged 9.2 points and 4.9 rebounds.