Representatives of Kobe Bryant will meet with officials from Besiktas, a club in Turkey that has already signed Deron Williams to play during the NBA lockout, on July 30, according to a report quoting one of said Besiktas officials (via PBT). Rumors have tied Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers' former MVP, to Besiktas for weeks, though much of that has seemed like overwhelming enthusiasm from the club and willing flirtation from Kobe's camp.
Kobe Bryant, Turkey Rumors Could Be Settled At Reported July 30 Meeting
Reports have suggested Kobe would command $1 million per month to play with a foreign club during the ongoing NBA lockout. The official quoted Monday says that money won’t be an issue, as sponsorships can be covered by Turkish Airlines (which already has Kobe as an endorser), M-Oil and Milan Petrol.
Besiktas’ season begins at the end of September, and Williams is reportedly slated to arrive in Istanbul for training camp at the end of August, if the lockout hasn’t ended. While Williams’ deal sent shockwaves through the NBA, no big names have yet followed him overseas, and adding someone the stature of Kobe -- other than Michael Jordan, the most famous basketball personality in the world right now -- would seemingly put immense pressure on the NBA to come to the table and bargain with players.
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