With the NBA lockout well underway and the uncertainty of an NBA season in October, we’ve already seen a number of NBA players consider playing overseas.
A couple of weeks back it was reported that the Turkish team Bestikas may be interested in signing Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant to a deal. Bestikas is the same team that employed Allen Iverson last season and most recently signed Nets star Deron Williams.
Mark Stein of ESPN.com has given an update on Bestikas’ pursuit of Bryant. Here is what he has to say…
Turkey’s NTV Spor, via our man Ismail Senol, reports that Besiktas put Kobe chase on hold due to match-fixing soccer scandal. Report from Senol says Besiktas offered Kobe $500K per month, with Kobe seeking $1 mil. But Besiktas’ funds tied up now by soccer problems. short: Looks like wealthy sponsor has to step in to fund any further Besiktas moves. Kobe, though, does have that Turkish Airlines deal.
Bryant has already indicated that he would consider playing overseas if the lockout extends into the NBA regular season…
“One thing about basketball is that it is a global sport now,” Bryant told Reuters Sunday. “So you can play anywhere you want to. As far as myself, I just train. I just train and be prepared for anybody that calls.”
“Whether the NBA starts again or a team in Europe or here in China decides to call, I’ll be ready,” Bryant added.
