Just days ago New Jersey Net’s all-star point guard Deron Williams announced that, should the NBA lockout extend to the spring, he will take his talents to Turkey to play for the Turkish league team, Besiktas.
Besiktas, the team the former NBA star Allen Iverson played for last season, has reportedly inked Williams to a one year $5 million deal. The deal is contingent of course upon the time he actually spends with the club, which, should the labour negations resolve soon, could be nothing at all. A clause in the contract states that, should the labour negotiations be resolved, the contract will become void allowing Williams to return home to play for the Nets.
A multitude of league players over that last year have toyed with the idea of allaying overseas during the lockout. Williams of course is the first to officially commit,
The biggest issue with him playing overseas? Should he sustain an injury he could void his NBA contract. With more than $16 million owing to him over the next year, that’s a big gamble to take. An injury would mean not only loss of money to the player, but a serious loss in personnel for the New Jersey Nets.
Williams is the team’s major building block and a big lure to bring free agents to the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, come season 2012-13.
With Williams’ contract now inked, even more professional players have toyed with the idea of playing abroad, with international born players the most likely to consider a move.
Former NBA players Zaza Pachulia and Darius Songalia have already inked multi year deals with European clubs, understanding that an NBA lockout could cost them millions of dollars in salary, not only this season but in salary rollbacks and cuts in the coming years.
Closer to home it is no secret that many NBL clubs, including Adelaide, Cairns and Townsville are actively pursuing Australian born NBA role player, Patty Mills.
Mills has spent the last 2 years with the Portland Trailblazers and speculation is, he may want to return home for a brief stint this spring.
Under FIBA rules no player can sign a contract with another team if they already have one agreed to with a team in a FIBA member country. Current NBA contracts do not apply however as the current NBA lockout effectively voids all player contracts leaving players free to pursue other options abroad.
There’s no doubt that if the NBA negotiations fail to improve, the league could see countless more players gamble on current contracts to earn a few extra bucks, and play the game they love, overseas.
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