NBA Lockout: The 10 Best Players Set to Play Overseas

Although there is certainly a more notable player on the list, Ty Lawson is the most recent NBA player to make the jump to play overseas, and as reported by Sportando, is signed to play in Lithuania with Zalgiris Kaunas until the end of the lockout.

With Raymond Felton shipped off to the Portland TrailBlazers, Lawson finally has his chance at usurping the starting point guard job once and for all. Although Andre Miller was received by the Denver Nuggets in the deal, he is a savvy veteran point guard that is only going to help Lawson master all the nuances of the point guard position. Playing Overseas will only help Lawson develop his leadership and playmaking skills to have him ready to break out when NBA basketball resumes again.

While there have been plenty of rumors and speculation regarding who will play overseas and who would rather not, let's take a look at the players who are past the contemplating stage and, much like Lawson, have made the jump to play overseas as well.

10. Von Wafer

Easily my favorite name on this list, Von Wafer sounds like a high-end bakery or expensive type of cookie.

While I may be onto something to earn him some extra money during the lockout, let's talk about why he makes this list and who he will be playing for.

Before he made himself synonymous with the missed dunk celebration against the Washington Wizards, Wafer was actually a nice up-and-coming young player—still is.

Playing for the Houston Rockets in 2008-2009, he averaged 9.7 PPG in just under 20 minutes of action per game and seemed to be a solid scorer off the bench for the Rockets, scoring 20 points in several contests and more than 15 a bunch of times that season.

At only 26 years old, Wafer will definitely benefit from receiving more playing time and developing his game to be ready to possibly earn a bigger role whenever the season starts up again.

9. Sonny Weems

Sonny Weems plays for the Toronto Raptors, who finished in the middle of the pack at 17th overall in points per game at 99. Weems himself averaged 9.2 PPG in around 24 minutes per game.

While that is not an overwhelming scoring total, the Raptors can use all the help they can get on offense, especially now that their former superstar Chris Bosh is balling with LeBron and company in Miami.

Although Weems is likely never going to be a centerpiece for the club, having some scoring punch off the bench is never a bad thing, and Weems' time spent overseas should only help him enhance that part of his game.

Weems will be teaming up with Ty Lawson in Lithuania for Zalgiris Kaunas.

8. Sasha Vujacic

Sasha Vujacic looks pumped to go play overseas for Anadolu Efes in Turkey, and he certainly should be.

Vujacic will go to a team where he is sure to be more of a focus offensively, and he needs to take full advantage of the opportunity.

While he did average nearly 30 minutes per game for the New Jersey Nets last season, the Nets drafted the crafty-scoring Marshon Brooks, whom many feel was a steal. The Nets also have the sharpshooting Anthony Morrow.

Vujacic's contract is reported to have one guaranteed year with an option for another. Since the Nets are full at shooting guard, it is unlikely they will want to retain him. Because of this, he should think of staying overseas long term since it is highly unlikely he will be able to accumulate 30 minutes on any other NBA team that has interest in him.

7. Jordan Farmar

Jordan Farmar is the second New Jersey Net on this list, and he won't be the last.

Receiving the bulk of the minutes before the Nets acquired Deron Williams, it was clear that although he definitely has some talent, he isn't ready for a job as a starter just yet.

Farmar averaged 9.6 PPG with five APG, so you can certainly do much worse, but if he is able to capitalize with his new opportunity playing overseas for Maccabi Tel Aviv, he may earn more minutes.

Although, it is going to be hard with a crowded backcourt that already has superstar Williams, and scoring 2-guards in Marshon Brooks and Anthony Morrow.

Playing overseas can only help Farmar's development, and he is a perfect example of the kind of player who could benefit playing abroad during the lockout or even longer for some. 

6. Patty Mills

While the picture makes Patty Mills look like a player who fools around, that could not be further from the truth.

Mills may be the third-string point guard of the Portland Trail Blazers, but he is extremely hard-working and is a favorite of coach Nate McMillan for his ability to adjust to whatever role the team needs him to play.

While he was oftentimes a cheerleader on the bench, with Andre Miller, Wes Matthews and Brandon Roy receiving most of the minutes at the guard positions, Mills was still prepared when his number was called.

With only two seasons of experience under his belt in the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers, an increased role with Anadolu Efes in Turkey is sure to refine his game and could make him a breakout point guard if he decides to come back after the lockout is over.

5. Nenad Krstic

After showing some positive signs as a rookie with the New Jersey Nets, Krstic played a serviceable role as the starting center for the Oklahoma City Thunder as well, up until they were able to acquire Kendrick Perkins.

Krstic tossed in some solid playing time donning the Celtic Green in Boston as well. While he is certainly a seasoned veteran in the NBA by now, a more increased role playing for CSKA Moscow in Russia will only help him get more confidence in his game and make him more of a consistent contributor once games resume for the NBA.

4. Ersan Ilyasova

Ersan Ilyasova has proven to be an intriguing option for the Milwaukee Bucks since he brings with him a European flavor to his game—that is, the ability to stretch the floor by making the occasional long range shot here and there, although he is most effective as a mid-range jump shooter.

Ilyasova has also done a fairly solid job cleaning up the boards as well, averaging 6.1 RPG last season in just 25 minutes of play.

At the young age of 24, he still has a ton of room to grow and remains one of the better up-and-coming European players the NBA has today. He will be playing for Fenerbahce Ulker in Turkey, and is likely to benefit from more playing time and a more featured role offensively.

3. Ron Artest

While he is certainly one of the more surprising names on this list, Ron Artest was never known to go with the crowd.

That's why he's playing for the Cheshire Jets.

I know, I know—who are the Cheshire Jets? Apparently they are an English basketball team who aren't well known or even that good.

Well, they will welcome the talents of a big-bodied forward who is a great defender, but many have to wonder, "What was Ron Artest thinking when making this choice?"

Then again, isn't that what we're always thinking when Artest makes a decision?

Although the English League is not known for its talented teams, I have a feeling watching Ron Ron run amok in England will be very entertaining and likely will become a reality show before long.

There is a strong possibility that Artest does all the right things and just straight-up dominates the English League too; either way, I'm intrigued to see how Artest's trip to England turns out.

2. Nicolas Batum

After all is said and done with each of the players careers on this list, Nicolas Batum's could be the most successful.

That's saying a lot considering the next and final player featured on this list.

However, considering his lanky frame and ability to handle the ball at his height, Batum is likely going to become a nightmare to defend and be defended by.

Throw in the fact that he has already been featured as the rising star on a French team that has featured the likes of fellow NBA players Joakim Noah and Tony Parker, and that's saying something.

Oh yeah, did I mention the guy is only 22 years old?

Scouts drool over players with Batum's kind of limitless potential, and the fact that he has a chance of fulfilling all of it, makes his ceiling impossible to predict.

Batum will be playing in France, where he is already very familiar (as was previously mentioned), and the time spent there will likely only help to develop his leadership skills and make him a more consistent scoring threat.

1. Deron Williams

Deron Williams is arguably the best point guard in the whole world and the only superstar so far to make the jump to go play overseas, at least until the end of the lockout.

The Nets completely missed the playoffs last year and will need all the help they can get to pass the up-and-coming New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers—not to mention the Boston Celtics, who seem to be glued at the top of the Atlantic Division until they are de-throned by one of the aforementioned teams.

Throw in the fact that Kris Humphries is an unrestricted free agent after a breakout season, and you have to wonder if the Nets will be able to get some help for Williams since he is not able to do it alone. Many are clamoring for Dwight Howard, but we'll have to wait and see if Superman is in the cards for New Jersey.

Although there are more players who have made the jump overseas as well, I felt these were the most prominent ones to do so to this point. With many other players considering offers from all over Europe, it will be interesting to see who will make the jump next.