Besiktas Will Sign Lamar Odom, Not Brook Lopez

Remember how I told you that Brook Lopez was expected to sign with Besiktas earlier this morning?  Well, forget that!  Lopez will not be signing a deal to play alongside Nets teammate Deron Williams, but Besiktas is going to get Lamar Odom instead.  According to ESPN it’s not quite finalized yet, but Odom has already made plans to join the team as early as the beginning of next week.  Via ESPN…

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom has reached an agreement in principle to sign with Besiktas of Turkey and team up overseas with Nets star Deron Williams, according to sources close to Odom.

Final details will not be sorted out before Friday, sources said, but Odom has indicated that he plans to join the Istanbul-based team as early as next week if the NBA lockout continues.

Sources told ESPN.com that the deal would pay Odom in excess of $2 million if he spends the rest of the season with Besiktas. The deal — first reported in Turkey by NTV Spor and local journalist Mete Aktas — will include an opt-out clause to return to the NBA as soon as the lockout ends, same as in Williams’ contract.

 After Minnesota’s Kevin Love turned down the chance last weekend to take a similar deal to play alongside Williams, ESPN.com reported late Tuesday that Odom was the new target. Besiktas has been trying for days to acquire a top-flight big man to pair with Williams, who erupted for 50 points Tuesday in a EuroChallenge game against Gottingen of Germany.

Besiktas competes in the Eurocup, which is a level below the premier Euroleague.  I fully expect Odom’s versatility to shine in Europe, and I think the presence of Deron Williams, who has adjusted to playing in Turkey very well, will help to make the transition pretty smooth for him.

The next episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians: The Kardashians go to Turkey!  Twenty bucks says Kim makes a move on her soon-to-be-ex-husband’s teammate, D-Will, if she goes over.