NEW YORK (AP) — Sonny Weems has joined Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania, the first NBA player to sign a contract during the lockout.
Roger Montgomery, Weems’ agent, says his client signed the deal Thursday without an NBA opt-out clause. He believes with the league’s uncertain labor situation, it was “in our best interest to unpack our bags and stay the entire year.”
Weems played last season for Toronto and was a restricted free agent. The Raptors extended a qualifying offer, meaning they would maintain the right to match any offer by another team if he returned to the NBA.
Montgomery says Weems could play 70 games next season, a good opportunity for a young player instead of losing the entire year if the NBA and players don’t reach a deal.
