ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish team Besiktas says it is close to reaching a deal with NBA All-Star guard Deron Williams.
Besiktas manager Murat Murtezaoglu told The Associated Press on Thursday that talks are under way with the New Jersey Nets player and U.S. Olympian.
Coach Ergin Ataman told the state-run Anatolia news agency that a deal was close.
Ataman says “our negotiations with this player are continuing. If he does come it would be an even greater transfer than that of Allen Iverson.”
Iverson, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001, joined Besiktas after no NBA team offered him a contract. His time in Besiktas was cut short due to injury.
The Nets say they can’t comment because of the lockout. Williams was supposed to earn $16.36 million with New Jersey next season.
