Deron Williams Playing in Europe?

[Berowsk]

Deron Williams, the star point guard of the New Jersey Nets, is in talks to join Besiktas, a club based in Istanbul, Turkey, the team's coach told Turkish reporter Ismail Senol.

A report from Senol's station, NTV Spor, early Thursday that claimed Williams had signed with Besiktas ripped through the web, drawing as much skepticism as interest. The coach's confirmation of talks was the first on-the-record acknowledgment of talks, and lent a good dose of credence to the proceedings.

The coach, Ergin Ataman, said that the club and Williams were "close to an agreement." The coach also said that Williams would be the biggest star in Europe; that is no overstatement.

Of course, even if a deal is agreed to, Williams would be in New Jersey suiting up for the Nets should the NBA lockout end before the start of the regular season. There's also the matter of FIBA approval for the deal with Besiktas, given that Williams is under contract with the Nets for next season; that might rely on Nets approval for the deal, which might be a challenge to get even as the Nets do everything in their power to convince Williams to sign an extension beyond the 2011-12 season.

http://www.sbnation.com/2011/7/7/2263947/deron-williams-turkey-rumors-besiktas-coach-new-jersey-nets

[Rudi]

Don't see the problem with the move. I guess this is the first real sign that people don't think theres going to be a season.

[A Tasty Burgerr]

link

After agreeing with New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams(notes) on a contract to join his Turkish team during the NBA lockout, Besiktas coach Ergin Ataman declared his next target: Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant(notes).

Ataman will travel to the United States with Besiktas management officials next week to trumpet the signing of Williams, and wants to arrange a meeting with Bryant and Bryant’s agent, Rob Pelinka, he told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday afternoon.
“After we signed Deron, we started to look around and find a friend of his, find other NBA stars, who want to come over and play with us,” Ataman told Yahoo! Sports. “If Kobe wants to play with Deron in Istanbul, we can discuss this.”

Bryant stands to lose his $25.2 million salary if the NBA’s lockout wipes out the 2011-12 season, and it remains to be seen whether Besiktas could muster a big enough offer to pique Bryant’s interest.

Williams will make approximately $200,000 per month plus perks after taxes, sources said. Williams has an out-clause that would allow him to leave and return to the NBA should a collective bargaining agreement be reached this season.

“We cannot give him the same money as he gets from the NBA, but if the money isn’t everything in this, and Kobe wants to play during the lockout, wants to play with Deron Williams, we can find some deal on the money,” Ataman said.

“Kobe is the player in Europe with the most fans, with the biggest name. I believe that Kobe is a basketball player, and I’m a basketball coach, and that this is a big club, and maybe he can come play.

“Why not?”

Besiktas signed Allen Iverson(notes) for the past season, but he arrived out of shape and an injury cut short his season with the Turkish team.

Besiktas has a recent history of struggling to pay players money owed them. FIBA ordered Besiktas to pay Americans Lonny Baxter and Kevin Fletcher $180,000 and $178,000, respectively, for back payments.

Bryant signed a major endorsement deal with Turkish Airlines last year.

lolz

[FedEx227]

I use to think Lonny Baxter was gonna be amazing.

[A Tasty Burgerr]

It will be fun to see NBA players play each other in Europe in a novelty kind of way.

[Berowsk]

It will be fun to see NBA players play each other in Europe in a novelty kind of way.

That and it will be cool to see what European players play to the elite level of Deron and Kobe. Maybe some new prospects will pop up.

[NAHSTE]

That and it will be cool to see what European players play to the elite level of Deron and Kobe. Maybe some new prospects will pop up.

Hmm, if only we had two tournaments which are each played every four years that provided a similar opportunity....

[Berowsk]

Hmm, if only we had two tournaments which are each played every four years that provided a similar opportunity....

Many more players play in the euroleagues than are represented in the FIBAs.

[citizenerased]

Many more players play in the euroleagues than are represented in the FIBAs.

If your not good enough to make the 12 man roster for Turkey or Australia, your not good enough to be a prospect for the NBA.

Simples.

[NAHSTE]

If your not good enough to make the 12 man roster for Turkey or Australia, your not good enough to be a prospect for the NBA.

Simples.

Yep. That was kind of what I was alluding to.