Kobe Bryant to meet officials from the Turkish basketball club Besiktas: NBA Update
The Los Angeles Lakers and NBA superstar Kobe Bryant is planning to meet officials from the Turkish basketball club Besiktas for a potential contract to play in Turkey. The official meeting between Kobe and his representatives
with Besiktas management is scheduled on 30th July in Turkey.
However, both the parties have not disclosed any information about the meeting. Besiktas head of basketball operations Seref Yalcin told the media in Turkey about the potential meeting. Yalcin said,
“At the moment there's a 50 percent chance that Kobe may come to Turkey, Everything will be clearer after the meeting on the 30th [of July].”
Turkish basketball club is interested to sign Kobe during the lockout in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Besiktas management has already signed New Jersey Nets’ point guard Deron Williams for a season.
Besiktas head Coach Ergin Ataman indicated his interest to bring Kobe Bryant into his roster. Kobe Bryant has also made it clear that he will not sit around idle during the lockout and will look to engage with some basketball club,
be it in Europe or China.
His negotiations with the Turkish club have been in the spotlight for quite some time now. About two weeks back Besiktas coach Ataman stated in the media,
“It is a fact that Kobe Bryant's managers have contacted us, our board will evaluate that.”
The NBA has locked its players over labour unrest with the Players Association while this uncertainty in the league is forcing many players to move to Europe. The 32-year old has achieved so much in his career and now work stoppage
in the league is compelling him to play overseas.
Kobe Bryant is already a brand ambassador of Turkish Airlines and thinking seriously to join the Turkish league which begins in October this year. Initially there were some doubts about Besiktas financial status as they could
not afford Bryant, who is already earning in millions in the biggest basketball league in the world.
However Besiktas head of basketball operations Seref Yalcin denied all these rumours. “Kobe wants some time to think about it, we believe that his response is going to be positive. Money will not be a problem.”
According to the current speculation, if Kobe decides to join the Turkish Club, he will be earning $500,000 a month but his representatives are seeking $1 million worth of salary a month. That amount if agreed to, is expected to
be paid by some sponsor, as in the case of Deron Williams, and the chances of Besiktas drawing the amount themselves are slim.
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