Report: Lakers' Odom, Turkish club reach deal
As the NBA lockout grinds on with few signs of hope for reaching a deal, more and more NBA players are signing with overseas clubs.
Los Angeles Lakers power forward Lamar Odom has become the latest to take the leap, according to ESPN and other media outlets.
Odom and Turkish club Besitkas have agreed to a deal worth more than $2 million, which includes an opt-out clause should the NBA season resume, reports ESPN's Marc Stein.
Odom, the husband of Khloe Kardashian, could make his first appearance in Turkey as soon as next week, Stein reports, where he will join Nets' star guard Deron Williams, who has flourished there lately.
According to Stein: "Odom turned 32 earlier this month and is well-regarded in Turkish basketball circles following his strong play in Istanbul in summer 2010 for the victorious Team USA at the world championships. Despite the fact that his wife, Khloe Kardashian, has Armenian roots, Odom's reality show with Kardashian airs in Turkey and is said to be popular there."
More NBA players moving abroad news:
- "Virtus Roma agreed to terms with Tyreke Evans for the season 2011-12 with an NBA out to exercise by the player when lockout ends," reports Hoops Hype.
- Oklahoma City Thunder's breakout star from last season, Serge Ibaka, reportedly signed a two-month deal with Real Madrid of the Spanish league, Hoops Hype reports. Ibaka is allegedly trying to play his way off the bench, even though the Spanish league has rarely seen athletic ability like his before.
- Indiana Pacers free-agent guard T.J. Ford is headed to Croatia to join KK Zagreb while the NBA lockout drags on, ESPN reports