Toronto Raptors’ guard Sonny Weems signs contract with Lithuanian
Zalgiris Kaunas – NBA Update
Sonny Weems, the Toronto Raptors shooting guard, has signed a contract with Lithuanian basketball team Zalgiris Kaunas. The contract runs for a year and Sonny is believed to be looking forward to the new challenge.
A number of NBA players have been considering and actively seeking opportunities to play next season in Europe ever since the NBA lockout began on July 1st. The National Basketball Players Association is believed to
have told the agents of NBA players to find new opportunities for their clients as they believe the lockout is going to last for quite a while.
Sonny Weems is a shooting guard and played for the Toronto Raptors last season. The player was a restricted free agent and Toronto made a qualifying offer to him, meaning that they reserve the right to match any contract another
team offers him. However, that only applies to teams in the NBA. This in essence, makes Sonny a free agent without contractual obligations in NBA and therefore exempts him from the FIBA waiver required to play in Europe.
Sonny’s contract does not contain an NBA release clause, which means that the player will remain with Zalgiris Kaunas for the whole season even if the lockout ends. European teams cannot match the salaries paid in the NBA, but
clearly playing time is of more concern to the 6-foot-6 guard. His agent Roger Montgomery believes that Sonny will feature in around 70 games next season for his new team which would be very beneficial for the development of the 25 year old.
"Sonny will be able to go in and make a true impact," Montgomery said, his client will be in a team that is "really in the middle of the pack (and will help them) maybe go to the top of the pack."
Weems averaged 9.2 points, 1.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game last season for the Raptors. Although not a standout talent, Weems is certainly a valuable role player who will be welcome in the NBA next season when his contract
with the Lithuanian side expires.
His agent could not resist the temptation to take a shot at NBA Commissioner David Stern, who the players union blame for being unfair in his demands over the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, which is the reason for the
NBA lockout,
"There's no way I'm going sit by idly and wait for David Stern to decide if he wants to be fair," Montgomery said.
Weems is not the only NBA player who has agreed a deal with a European side. Just recently New Jersey Nets star Deron Williams agreed a deal with Turkish club Besiktas to represent them next season if the lockout persists.
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