Brian Scalabrine has signed with Italian team Benetton Treviso. Everybody's favorite 12th man has every reason to both make money and keep his game sharp with the lockout looming. There's no word if the deal includes an NBA 'out-clause,' but we wouldn't bank on it. Even if he stays a year, we can't completely rule him out for a return to the NBA.

According to Davide Chinellato, a journalist for the Italian publication Gazzetta della Sport, Brian Scalabrine is trying out with the Italian team Treviso and will have a couple of weeks to make the roster. Scalabrine hinted in July that he'd explore his European options, and now he's doing exactly that. He's certainly not a lock to make the roster, and if he's cut by the team, his chances of ever gracing an NBA roster may very well be slim to none.

Brian Scalabrine said recently that he will play in Europe if the lockout negotiations don't improve in two weeks. "With two years or so left of playing basketball, I'm not interested in watching billionaires fight," said Scalabrine. Players have to commit to at least a year overseas, meaning they can't opt out and join the NBA whenever the lockout ends.