New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams headed to the Turkish club Besiktas: NBA Update
New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams has signed a conditional contract with a Turkish sports club Besiktas - a deal that was disclosed on Thursday. Under the contract, Williams will participate in the Turkish league season which is starting from September 27, 2011.
According to the sources, 27 year old guard will be paid $500,000 for his one year contract. Deron will also get lodging facility, a car, driver, personal assistant, security guard and in addition to this he will also receive tax breaks on his overseas income.
Talking about the deal in the Turkish media, Besiktas coach Ergin Ataman said, "Deron will be a bigger signing than Iverson. We're also very close to getting Zaza Pachulia."
The club is also eyeing on some of the other stars in the NBA, Kobe Bryant being the most prominent among them. "If there's a possibility, we'll talk with Kobe (Bryant) if he'd like to play in Europe with Deron and with other guys to play we can talk with him.” Ergin Ataman added “If Kobe would like to play with us, we will also contact his agent and maybe with him."
Williams had been the face of Utah Jazz since 2005. However, the long term relation came to an end mid way through the last season when the franchise traded him to the New Jersey Nets. The key reason behind the trade was that Utah believed, Deron might opt out of his contract in the last year and shift to some another franchise.
The phenomenal swingman will take part in the Turkish league until the lockout prevails in the NBA and Besiktas have allowed him to rejoin the Nets as soon as the work stoppage ends. It is believed that Jeff Schwartz, who was recently hired as an agent by Williams, is the person behind this move.
The most astonishing aspect of this deal is that a “special sponsor” not Besiktas will be paying Deron. If the Turkish league gets its hands on similar sort of sponsors, they will certainly be able to drag more stars from the NBA. However, this may adversely affect the franchises, as they have to retreat from some of their conditions, when this happens.
Williams’ deal with Besiktas will be made official in the next 24 hours and in the coming week Turkish club’s President Seref Yalcin will have a press meeting along with Williams.
Williams’ contract with the club has yet to receive an approval from both governing bodies of basketball NBA and FIBA. If even one body decides to prevent Williams to participate in overseas league during lockout, William will not be able to make the move.
Williams will report to the club after September 1. As such this is not an issue for the Nets as they will have their ace guard back as soon as the lockout culminates. Their major concern though will be Williams nagging wrist injury that forced him to miss games in the second half of the last season. If Williams aggravates his injury then that can be big blow for the Nets.
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