Since the NBA lockout posed a threat for players under an NBA contact to make a living this season, several players have opted to potentially risk their NBA salary by looking for playing options overseas. While most of these players contracted with NBA teams have included NBA-out clauses in their contracts, allowing the player to return to the United States and Canada at the end of the NBA lockout, these men have decided to take their talents to the Euroleague and other leagues around the world. Here’s a look at the top 10 players under an NBA contract who have signed with teams overseas during the NBA lockout.
10. Timofey Mozgov
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Denver Nuggets through 2014 ($10.4 million)
Overseas team signed with: Khimki in Russia
An athletic seven-footer with upside, Mozgov has shown soft hands and good mobility for a man his size. Originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia, it’s no surprise that Mozgov opted to go back to his home country to play basketball.
9. Nikola Pekovic
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves through 2014 ($15.4 million)
Overseas team signed with: Partizan in Serbia
Another player originally from overseas, Pekovic, born in Bjelo Polje, Yugoslavia, signed with Partizan in Serbia to showcase his athleticism and toughness that once made him a dominant force in Europe.
8. Jordan Farmar
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the New Jersey Nets through 2013 ($8.25 million)
Overseas team signed with: Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel
A Jewish American, this five-year NBA pro known for backing up the likes of Derek Fisher for the Los Angeles Lakers hopes to play for a Maccabi Tel-Aviv club in Israel known for signing NBA players such as Will Bynum and Anthony Parker.
7. Ersan Ilyasova
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Milwaukee Bucks through 2012 ($2.5 million)
Overseas team signed with: Anadolu Efes in Turkey
A skilled combo forward for the Bucks, Ilyasova returned to Turkey to play basketball. A former member of the country’s FIBA Europe Under-20 team and now a member of the senior Turkish national team, Ilyasova is quite familiar with professional ball in the Turkish League.
6. Trevor Booker
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Washington Wizards through 2015 ($9.5 million)
Overseas team signed with: Bnei Hasharon in Italy
A rookie last season out of Clemson, Booker averaged around 16 minutes per game off the bench. As a part of Bnei Hasharon of the Israeli league, the young forward will get an opportunity to play in one of the tougher leagues in Europe, filled with many former NBA players and undrafted college prospects.
5. Reggie Williams
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Golden State Warriors through 2012 ($1.1 million)
Overseas team signed with: Caja Laboral in Spain
A D-League sensation, Williams will be playing with Caja Laboral of Spanish ACB on a one year, $1.5 million contract. Great at scoring on the wing and a decent passer, the 24-year-old offensive-minded guard-forward will get to continue to develop his game overseas.
4. Leandro Barbosa
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Toronto Raptors through 2012 ($7.6 million)
Overseas team signed with: Flamingo in Brazil
A former Sixth Man of the Year winner, the Brazilian returns to play professional basketball in the country for the first time since being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2003. Lightning-quick and a long wingspan, Barbosa has used his quality scoring abilities and speediness to help the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors over his NBA career.
3. Nicolas Batum
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Portland Trail Blazers through 2013 ($5.6 million)
Overseas team signed with: SLUC Nancy in France
Another international player on the list, Batum played in the French league’s Le Mans Sarthe Basket for two seasons prior to joining the Blazers in 2008. An excellent defender with an improving skill-set, Batum should fit in with his overseas team well as a very good forward who has still not reached his full potential.
2. Ty Lawson
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the Denver Nuggets through 2014 ($7.8 million)
Overseas team signed with: Zalgiris in Lithuania
As part of a group of great young point guards to recently come into the league, Lawson joins a Zalgiris team featuring Americans Sonny Weems, DeJuan Collins, and Omar Samhan. An aggressive, speedy point guard who makes good ball handling decisions, Lawson’s exposure in the Euroleague may help him grow into the upper echelon player he envisions himself to be.
1. Deron Williams
Current NBA contract: Under contract with the New Jersey Nets through 2012 ($16.3 million)
Overseas team signed with: Besiktas in Turkey
The biggest name to make the transition overseas, Williams made big news on July 15 when he decided to sign a contract with the ballclub in Turkey. A two-time NBA All-Star, the former Utah Jazz star, unlike other big-name players such as Los Angeles Lakers SG Kobe Bryant and Orlando Magic C Dwight Howard, decided to make the jump to the same team that signed Allen Iverson a year ago.
Players selected on list were signed to play overseas as of August 30, 2011.
Source:
NBA Players Overseas: List of Players Who Have Signed Abroad During the NBA Lockout, Ridiculous Upside
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