The bad thing about NBA rookies is that with the NBA lockout, they are not really NBA rookies.

"It's hard," said DeAndre Liggins, the former Kentucky guard who was drafted in the second round by the Orlando Magic.

So ...

"You do what you got to do," said Liggins, who was in Lexington on Friday for John Calipari's ProCamp at the Joe Craft Center.

For Liggins, doing what he has to do means exploring the option of playing overseas.

"We're looking at trying to go overseas possibly," said Liggins of himself and his agent, Henry Thomas. "He's working on that now."

Liggins said he would like a contract that would allow him to return when the NBA lockout ends. If that's not possible, however, he talked like a year overseas is a viable option.

Would that be for the money or for keeping in shape?

"Everything," Liggins said. "For the money, staying in shape, compete. That's everything."

Liggins said he knew the downside, that you are far from family, the food is different, language, etc.

"Money talks," he said. "In my situation now, I've got a son. So that's something I'm looking into."

Liggins has spent most of his time in Chicago working out, but was in Lexington earlier this month. He said he did play some pickup games, which included the incoming crop of UK freshmen.

"Anthony Davis impressed me a lot," Liggins said. "He's long. He blocked my shot a couple of times. You've got to dunk on him. If you try to lay it up, he's going to block your shot. He's very long."

Told Michael Kidd-Gilchrist said recently he wanted to be the "DeAndre Liggins" of this year's team, Liggins smiled. "That's what happens when you come in and do all the dirty work," Liggins said. "People saw all the little things I did to help the team win."

Now he'd like to help the Orlando Magic. But that must wait.

"Every NBA player is going through this," Liggins said.