Deron Williams To Play in Europe: 5 Players Who Could Join Him Overseas

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers posts up Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 4, 2011 in Los An

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With the reports that New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams has agreed with Turkish club Besiktas on terms of a contract if the NBA has a work stoppage, questions arise. The contract has a clause in it to where if the stoppage ends, Williams can abruptly leave Besiktas and return to the Nets.

Many players wouldn't risk injury and would just work out in America. So why did Williams decide to go to Turkey? Maybe he wants to keep his game up with professional talent. Maybe he's trying to make a statement to the NBA that players could turn international. Or, maybe he just wants to play.

Besiktas came in sixth in the Turkish league last year, and Williams could possibly turn some more NBA talent to the team or Euroleague in general. Here are five players he could bring over with him.

5. Kobe Bryant, G, Lakers

DALLAS, TX - MAY 06: Guard Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 98-92 loss against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2011 at American Airlines Center in Dal

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Kobe likely will be the highest-profile name in the slideshow. He and his agent have discussed assembling a barnstorming team to play in China. But a Euro team could offer Kobe a lot of money to come play, because he would bring tons of attendance and sell tons of gear.

Turkey would go nuts over one of the biggest sports figures in the world on their team, and would definitely attract more fans.

4. Pau Gasol, F, Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he looses the ball in the first quarter in front of Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Cen

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Ah, back-to-back Lakers.

Gasol is an international talent, and certainly a good one at that. If he did leave the NBA, he would most likely go to his homeland of Spain and play. A return to Spain and his roots would be good for Pau. A club would give Pau a spot on the roster to draw attendance and play at home. The move could possibly bring his brother Marc to Spain, too.

3. Andrea Bargnani, C, Raptors

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 25: Andrea Bargnani #7 of the Toronto Raptors drives on David Lee #10 of the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on March 25, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

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Andrea Bargnani is an Italian NBA player with the Raptors. He was taken No. 1 overall in the 2006 NBA draft. He could return to Europe during the lockout to play in his native Italy. He likes to shoot the three and could develop a better post game in Europe.

Bargnani was a superstar in Italy and would definitely become one again.

2. Enes Kanter, C, Jazz (Rookie)

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: Enes Kanter (R) from Istanbul, Turkey greets NBA Commissioner David Stern after he was selected #3 overall by the Utah Jazz in the first round during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey

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The first and only rookie in this slideshow, Enes Kanter could very well team up with Deron Williams in Turkey. He is Turkish, and played professionally there before planning to attend Kentucky. He was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA and wasn't allowed to play. He was selected third overall by the Utah Jazz.

If Kanter makes a return to Turkey, he may opt to play with Deron Williams and Besiktas, and not his former club, Fenerbahce Ulker.

1. Brandon Jennings, G, Bucks

ATLANTA - MAY 2: Guard Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles with the ball during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 2, 2

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Brandon Jennings is an American citizen, was born in America, attended high school in America and planned to attend college in America. However, he was the first player to opt to play professionally in Europe rather than attend college. He felt it would be a good way to polish his skills and make money.

Jennings did okay in Italy—he shot 35 percent and averaged 5.5 points per game. You have to cut him some slack because he was a kid fresh out of high school playing against players who have been professionals for years.

Jennings likely would not join Deron Williams in Turkey because they play the same position. He could, however, return to Italy and his former club Lottomatica Roma, or choose a different Turkish club than Williams and compete against him.

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