HoopsHype.com Rumors

Although Donatas Motiejunas has been linked with a move to Anadolu Efes by Turkish media, it might turn out that these talks are just unweighed rumors. Tomas Pacesas, the player’s coach at the Polish side Asseco Prokom, was surprised to hear such a scenario. "He's moving where? Turkey? First time I've heard about it. We're on a bus together with him in Moscow. We have just flown to a VTB League game. There are no talks of someone leaving the club," the Lithuanian specialist told lrytas.lt. The Hoop

Turkey, Donatas Motiejunas, Anadolu Efes 

Houston’s first round draft pick Donatas Motiejunas might be on the move again, as the Lithuanian 7-footer has drawn interest from several European clubs (Anadolu Efes, Khimki Moscow and Avozmash Mariupol among them). SheridanHoops

Donatas Motiejunas, Anadolu Efes 

Can Pelister: Anadolu Efes' first choice is Milan Macvan but source says, Efes had an agreement with Donatas Motiejunas and he might be in Turkey today. Twitter

Turkey, Donatas Motiejunas, Anadolu Efes 

Emiliano Carchia: Source close to Motiejunas reports to Sportando that the player didn't reach any agreement with Efes yet. Two other teams are targeting him Twitter

Turkey, Donatas Motiejunas, Anadolu Efes 

Zabian Dowdell won't play for Anadolu Efes Istanbul. The American player signed a contract for the season with the Turkish powerhouse but he didn't pass the medical tests and his contract has been cancelled, as reported to Sportando by a source close to the situation. Sportando

Zabian Dowdell, Turkey, Anadolu Efes 

Emiliano Carchia: BREAKING NEWS: Anadolu Efes Istanbul will sign Oliver Lafayette from Asseco Prokom Gdynia, source reports to Sportando Twitter

Free Agency, Oliver Lafayette, Anadolu Efes 

Turkish team Anadolu Efes Istanbul signed for the season Zabian Dowdell. The American player was recently waived by Phoenix Suns. Dowdell has played 24 games in the NBA last season with Suns averaging 5ppg and 2.1apg. Sportando

Free Agency, Zabian Dowdell, Turkey, Anadolu Efes 

Only five European teams could afford signing Gasol: FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow, Efes or Olympiacos. Marca.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Olympiacos, Europe, Marc Gasol, CSKA Moscow, Anadolu Efes 

But Anadolu Efes general manager Engin Ozerhun told a national Turkish publication that he wanted to keep Ilyasova on the team if possible. "We were not warm to the idea of signing NBA players during the lockout, but we had to bring in Ersan after Kerem Gonlum's long-term injury," Ozerhun said. "We will wait for the result of the talks. Of course we would love to keep Ersan in our team. "He will be a huge loss if he leaves. We do not have an available slot for a foreign player and there is no Turkish player (capable of) replacing Ersan." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova, Anadolu Efes 

According to sources, no discussions have taken place yet between the Bucks and the Turkish team. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova, Anadolu Efes 

Anadolu Efes is targeting Mavs guard Jose Juan Barea. SoloBasket.net

Dallas Mavericks, Lockout, Turkey, Jose Juan Barea, Anadolu Efes 

Leading off the story is Ilyasova’s line “I want to stay [with] Anadolu Efes. I hope FIBA has a rule that allows me to play the entire season in Turkey.” Perhaps not such a big deal, Tu points out, except that “the Turkish power forward still has a one-year contract with the Bucks at a salary of $2.5 million (€1.9 million).” Said Ilyasova, “We will fight in the Turkish league and the Euroleague. Our goal for the season is to reach the Euroleague Final Four played in Istanbul. We know we are in a difficult group, but we have to go step by step.” Tu Basket also noted that another reason for Ilyasova’s desire to continue his sojourn back home is a “lack of social life he has in the U.S.” Ball In Europe

Milwaukee Bucks, Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova, Anadolu Efes 

Indeed, Ilyasova somehow breaking his contract would set precedent for other NBAers starting the 2011-12 season in Europe, including, as Tu points out, Rudy Fernandez, who signed a lucrative four-year, €12 million deal with Real Madrid. Real Madrid technical director Alberto Herreros stated that he “would do anything possible, including negotiating with the [Dallas Mavericks] to keep [Fernandez] around for as long as possible.” Ball In Europe

Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova, Anadolu Efes 

Ersan Ilyasova said he wants to stay with Anadolu Efes Istanbul the entire season and has no intention to return to the NBA when lockout ends. Sportando

Milwaukee Bucks, Lockout, Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova, Anadolu Efes 

"I want to stay with Anadolu Efes for the whole year. I hope there is a FIBA rule which would allow me to play the season in Turkey and Efes to keep me. We will fight for TBL and Euroleague. Our goal for the season is to reach the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Istanbul. We know we are in a very tough group in Euroleague but we have to go step-by-step" said Ilyasova, as reported by Salsabasket. Sportando

Milwaukee Bucks, Lockout, Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova, Anadolu Efes 

Marc Stein: Reported to have signed w/VEF Riga in his native Latvia AND Anadolu Efes in Turkey, Andris Biedrins has signed w/NEITHER, says his agent. Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Turkey, Bill Duffy, Latvia, Anadolu Efes, VEF Riga 

Marc Stein: Agent Bill Duffy: "We are not closing door on Andris playing in Europe. (But) reports of him signing in Latvia and Turkey are erroneous." Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Turkey, Bill Duffy, Latvia, Anadolu Efes, VEF Riga 

Turkish team Anadolu Efes continues signing players from the NBA and have reached and agreement with Latvian Andris Biedrins. Blic

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Turkey, Anadolu Efes 

The Turkish club Anadolu Efes is pursuing Hedo Turkoglu, sources close to the situation confirm. Anadolu Efes already signed Ersan İlyasova and Sasha Vujacic this summer, and has also expressed significant interest in Keyon Dooling, Maurice Evans and Patty Mills. HoopsWorld

Orlando Magic, Hidayet Turkoglu, Lockout, Turkey, Anadolu Efes 

Alex Kennedy: The Turkish club Anadolu Efes is pursuing Hedo Turkoglu, sources confirm. Anadolu Efes has already signed Ersan İlyasova and Sasha Vujacic. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Hidayet Turkoglu, Turkey, Anadolu Efes