Turkish basketball club Besiktas has come out Thursday and said they’re in talks with Los Angeles Lakers star

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Kobe Bryant’s representatives about playing in Turkey during the NBA lockout.

“It is a fact that Kobe Bryant’s managers have contacted us,” Besiktas coach Ergin Ataman said. However, according to Ataman the club would need a sponsor to be able to afford Bryant’s contract.

Bryant is a 13-time NBA All Star who has won five NBA titles, all with the Lakers. He is currently on a tour of China, and has stated on more than one opportunity that would consider playing overseas should a lockout cancel the season, and mentioned China and Turkey as two possible destinations.

Bryant is just another name in a long list of players who are weighing their options, as New Jersey Nets point guard Derron Williams agreed to terms with Besiktas just last week. The Turkish club also signed Allen Iverson to its roster last year, but his playing time in Turkey was cut short due to injuries.

Two other New Jersey players have also decided they’ll be playing overseas as well, as guard Sasha Vujacic signed last week with Turkish club Anadolu Efes, and Nets Draft pick Bojan Bogdanovic signed with Fenerbahce of the Turkish league in June.

Orlando Magic five-time All-Star Dwight Howard has also stated he would be open to playing in China or Europe, pending the NBA lockout.  The Turkish league season starts in October.

 

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