NBA Rumors: Should Kobe Bryant Really Team Up with Deron Williams Overseas?

According to The Associated Press, Kobe Bryant's agents have been in contact with the Turkish team Besiktas. This is the same team that Deron Williams agreed to play for if there the season is lost to the NBA lockout. 

Should Kobe really join Williams to play for Besiktas? Earlier this summer we learned that Kobe would have an interest in playing in China, and now it's possible Kobe will play in Europe. 

Besiktas head coach Ergin Ataman is still trying to find a sponsor to help pay for Kobe, and it's not going to be all that easy. Williams' overall deal is worth $5 million, but Kobe of course wants more than that. The Associated Press points out that Kobe is seeking a very high price contract with Besiktas.  

According to NTV Spor, Besiktas was initially prepared to offer Bryant a monthly salary of $500,000. But Bryant, according to the report, is seeking a monthly salary of $1 million to join Williams.

If Kobe were to get paid $1 million a month to play in Turkey then some lucky American media members will find themselves in Turkey later this year covering Kobe's games. No matter how old Kobe is or what team it is, there is no way he is turning down a million a month.

However, there could be a problem with all of this. What if Besiktas says they will pay, but then they never do? They've had problems in the past with not paying players, and it's nothing new for teams in foreign countries to short their players on money.

Finding sponsors to pay Kobe won't be easy either because it's not a huge money market area. It makes sense for Kobe to play overseas though if he is getting paid that much.

But we all know that Kobe won't be getting paid a million a month because that's absolutely absurd. Williams is only making $200,000 a month to play in Turkey.

Kobe should play in China because he has a loyal fan base there, plus it would be a better environment than Turkey. Besiktas just sounds shady, and even though he would be playing with a fellow NBA star, Kobe would be better off skipping out on the Turkish team.

The Lakers' star doesn't really need to play basketball overseas this fall. It wouldn't hurt him to rest his ailing body for a little while, but because he is a competitor he will play in Turkey or China.   

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/751466-nba-trade-rumors-updates-and-reaction-to-potential-moves-around-the-league/entry/109613-nba-rumors-should-kobe-bryant-really-team-up-with-deron-williams-overseas

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