FIBA yet to rule on Deron Williams’ Besiktas contract as NBA players await: NBA Lockout
New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams sent shock waves in the NBA world, when he declared his attentions to play for the Turkish club Besiktas during the lockout, earlier this month.
The news was confirmed by Williams’ newly hired agent Jeff Schwartz who also stated that the All-Star has made an agreement in principal with Besiktas, a club which is best known for signing the Allen Iverson in the previous season.
Williams officially opened the doors for the NBA players to find employment overseas and since then stars like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard have indicated their intention to make a similar move.
However, with all the rumour about the mass exodus of the NBA players to Europe or China, that have been doing rounds, the basic question remains unanswered.
Will FIBA, the international governing body of basketball, allow the players to take their talents off shore when they are already having NBA contracts?
And the first indication of the things to come will be determined when FIBA rules on legal nature of Deron’s contract with the Turkish team. Till the time that happens, every NBA player will remain cautious. According to one NBA agent;
“Everybody is waiting to see what happens with Williams. If FIBA says it’s not a legal contract, everybody’s going to have to go back to the drawing board. You never know with this kind of thing. There’s no need to start looking for a contract for NBA guys if you’re not sure they can have that out clause.”
According to the agreement, the NBA star will play for the Turkish team and has the provision to return back when the lockout is over. This out clause is a major concern that is swirling on everybody’s mind. FIBA can term the clause as illegal considering that it will affect the stability of the Turkish league.
Besiktas officially announced the signing of Deron on Tuesday and FIBA’s decision is expected to come next week by Friday, considering the fact that FIBA makes the ruling within 10 days.
Even with all the uncertainty, Besiktas are gearing up to sign more big names from NBA including Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. Although the deal is already appearing difficult due to the finances involved, if FIBA makes an unfavourable ruling, it can be completely called off.
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