HoopsHype.com Rumors

Can Pelister: Fenerbahce reached an agreement with Ettore Messina, who is assistant coach at Lakers now. (via @chemedya) Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Turkey, Ettore Messina 

Nets general manager Billy King tweeted out an idyllic photo from Istanbul on Thursday afternoon, where he said he would be this week for the Euroleague Final Four, which begins Friday. About an hour later, however, Nets fans got a surprise when star point guard Deron Williams – who played for Turkish league power Besiktas in Istanbul during the lockout – tweeted out a photo of what looked to be the nearly the same view captioned “Back in Istanbul.” But the surprises don’t end there, as The Post has learned that Mikhail Prokhorov will King and Williams for CSKA Moscow’s semifinal Friday against Panathinaikos. With Williams famously set to explore free agency this summer – and with his hometown Mavericks, fresh off their four-game sweep at the hands of the Thunder, expected to be the primary challengers for his signature – the fact that he’s spending time during the offseason with both King and Prokhorov can only be seen as a good sign for the team’s chances of keeping him. New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Mikhail Prokhorov, Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, Turkey 

But King, Williams and Prokhorov will also be getting a close look at CSKA star Andrei Kirilenko, a name very familiar to NBA fans after playing 10 years for the Jazz, including together with Williams from the day the point guard was drafted until he was dealt to the Nets. While multiple sources flatly denied a report last week that said a verbal agreement between Kirilenko and the Nets was imminent, The Post did confirm that the team has monitored the versatile 6-foor-10 forward’s play this season for CSKA. In addition to Kirilenko’s obvious connection with Williams – and Kirilenko’s wife, Masha, wrote in a blog that Williams and his wife, Amy, had met with the Kirilenko’s in Istanbul – Kirilenko also has ties to Prokhorov. New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Mikhail Prokhorov, Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, Turkey 

Marc Stein: Source familiar w/Toronto's thinking insists Raps have NO plans to make free-agent offer to Sasha Vujacic despite reports in Turkey today Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Sasha Vujacic, Turkey 

Sasa Vujacic, in an interview with Kosarka.si, said that his desire is to return to the NBA next season. The Slovenian is now playing in Turkey with Anadolu Efes Istanbul with whom he penned a deal until the end of the season. 'I am happy and satisfied of my experience in Turkey, but my wish is to go back to the NBA next season' said Vujacic to Kosarka.si. According to the Slovenian site, Vujacic has already drawn interest from a few NBA teams. Sportando

Sasha Vujacic, Turkey 

Emiliano Carchia: Stern revealed sites of next season's overseas games: Berlin; Istanbul; Barcelona, Spain, Milan in Europe, Shanghai and Beijing in China Twitter

David Stern, Barcelona, Spain, China, Italy, Schedule, Turkey, Milan, Istanbul, Shanghai 

Coach Ataman confirmed that Adam Morrison left the Turkish team due to lack of playing time. Former NBA champion landed in Turkey last January as replacement of Kemp, injured. When the forward returned to action, Morrison became the sixth foreigner of the team. Sportando

Free Agency, Adam Morrison, Turkey 

Adam Morrison and Besiktas are close to reaching an agreement to part ways. The American forward landed in Turkey last January as replacement of the injured Marcelus Kemp. With the Turkish team Morrison has played 8 games in TBL averaging 11.8ppg. With the return of Kemp, Morrison had limited minutes and negotiated to break the contract Former Gonzaga has started the season in Serbia with Red Star leaving the team in December when the lockout ended. Morrison could find a contract in the NBA so decided to return to Europe but his second stint in the Old Continent is close to finish. Sportando

Free Agency, Adam Morrison, Turkey 

Anil Aksac: According to Australian press, Patty Mills deal with F.Bahce Ulker for 1,5 years. But there's no news from F.Bahce. Twitter

Free Agency, Patrick Mills, Turkey 

Of course, it‘s not a slam dunk Ilyasova will even remain in the NBA. Ilyasova told me he already has offers on the table from five Euro teams. An NBA executive also told me he wouldn’t rule out Ilyasova returning home to Turkey where, according to the executive, he could garner a tax-free, $5 million per year deal. Ilyasova is being paid $2.5 million this season. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova 

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 

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 

Ken Berger: With interest from several contenders, Darius Songaila's agent, Mark Bartelstein, is working on a buyout with Turkish team Galatasaray. Twitter

Free Agency, Darius Songaila, Turkey, Galatasaray 

Ken Berger: Songaila signed a one-year, $1.5M deal with Galatasaray. His new NBA team could fund up to $500,000 of the buyout. Twitter

Free Agency, Darius Songaila, Turkey, Galatasaray 

Do you think about making a career in Europe or is it your goal to return to the NBA? Adam Morrison: I don't know. Who knows what will happen in the NBA in the future, who knows what will happen in Europe... I'll take it year by year. Gigantes del Basket

Adam Morrison, Turkey, Besiktas 

Hedo Turkoglu on Deron Williams having his jersey retired by Besiktas: "Maybe that was too much. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player, I respect his game but Besiktas should have done it with some Turkish players before him... He's the best player ever come to Turkey." Basket4Us

Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Hidayet Turkoglu, Deron Williams, Turkey, Besiktas 

After debuting overseas last season with Turkish squad Fenerbahce Ulker, he inked with Zagreb back in October. Two years in to his European hoops experience, life back in the NBA looms heavy on May's mind with a second shot at a first impression. "Obviously my goal is to get back to the league," May told Ridiculous Upside. "I have a lot to prove still and I know I can still play at that level and help a team given the opportunity. " Ridiculous Upside

Turkey, Sean May, Fenerbahce Ulker 

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 

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