HoopsHype.com Rumors

Mete Aktas: Kobe Bryant: "So, when it comes to having competition playing abroad this (Turkish League) is the place to be for the NBA players." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Turkey 

Mete Aktas: Kobe Bryant:"Turkish League is the best league in Europe and it’s going be that way for a long time."(from his press conference in Istanbul) Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Turkey 

Carlos Arroyo: "There's no truth to the report that I'm goin back to Besiktas or I'm interested in going back there." Primera Hora

Free Agency, Carlos Arroyo, Turkey, Besiktas 

Carlos Arroyo would love to return to Besiktas Istanbul, according to Milliyet. The Puerto Rican PG didn't get any NBA offer and is still free agent. In the last days he requested a smaller salary to sign with the Turkish champions compared to the contract he asked when last season ended. Sportando

Free Agency, Carlos Arroyo, Turkey, Besiktas 

Word out of Europe Wednesday that although Bojan Bogdanovic's national team coach wants the 6'8" swingman to join him in Spain, Unicaja's ownership has yet to commit to signing him and apparently is unlikely to do so. That would be fine with the Nets, who would to see both their Euro-Stash, Bogdanovic and Ilkan Karaman, play for one team, Fenerbache, in Istanbul. NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Spain, Turkey, Bojan Bogdanovic 

According to Turkish newspaper AMK, TBL side Galatasaray Medical Park is interested in signing Mehmet Okur. Veteran big man has not been able to find a club in NBA yet and Galatasaray Medical Park, who were quite active in the transfer market this year is getting ready to make a move for Okur. Minnesota Timberwolves was rumoured to be negotiating with Mehmet Okur but they were not able to reach an agreement as he is not willing to play for veteran’s minimum. TrendBasket

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Mehmet Okur, Turkey, Galatasaray 

Fenerbahce is open to buying out the contract of Bojan Bogdanovic for free and Unicaja is talking with his agents. La Opinion de Malaga

Brooklyn Nets, Spain, Turkey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Fenerbahce Ulker, Unicaja 

Unicaja would assume Bogdanovic's current contract with the option of signing an extension with a new costly buyout for the summer of 2014. La Opinion de Malaga

Brooklyn Nets, Spain, Turkey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Fenerbahce Ulker, Unicaja 

Emiliano Carchia: GOSSIP: Sasha Vujacic of Anadolu Efes Istanbul said that his love story with Maria Sharapova ended three months ago. via @Gazzetta_it Twitter

Sasha Vujacic, Turkey, Maria Sharapova, Anadolu Efes 

Fenerbahce Ulker of Istanbul has received clearance to sign Ilkan Karaman, the Nets' 2012 second round pick, to a three-year contract, giving the Turkish League team two Nets picks at the forward spots. Bojan Bogdanovic, the Nets 2011 pick, plays small forward while Karaman, 6'10" and 255, plays PF. According to some reports, Karaman will have the right to opt out of his deal next July and sign with the Nets. Others suggest his "out" won't come until 2014. Bogdanovic has an "out" this July. Under terms of the CBA, the Nets can contribute more than a half-million dollars to each of the players' buyout packages. There's no limit on how many international contracts an NBA team can buy out. NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Turkey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Fenerbahce Ulker, Ilkan Karaman 

Emiliano Carchia: Ilkan Karaman to Fenerbahce is now official. The youngster will be a Fener player. Via @Basketdergisi Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Turkey, Fenerbahce Ulker, Ilkan Karaman 

Free agent center Vernon Macklin is signing with Gaziantep of Turkey, agent Greg Nunn told HoopsHype. Macklin, a Florida product, averaged 2.0 ppg and 1.5 rpg in his rookie year with the Pistons. HoopsHype

Detroit Pistons, Free Agency, Turkey, Vernon Macklin 

Ilkan Karaman will join Istanbul's Fenerbahce Ulker this season, the Turkish team announced Friday. The signing means that the Nets' two "Euro-Stash", Karaman and 2011 pick Bojan Bogdanovic, will both play for the Turkish and Euroleague powerhouse. Karaman, a 6'9.5", 255-pound power forward, signed a three-year deal with Fenerbahce. Under contract terms, Karaman will not be eligible for an NBA buyout until the summer of 2014. Bogdanovic is eligible next summer. NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Turkey, Fenerbahce Ulker, Ilkan Karaman 

David Andersen signed in the last hours his two-year contract with Fenerbahce Ulker, as reported by Ismail Senol. The Australian forward with Danish passport will be announced in the coming hours by Fenerbahce who agreed on buyout with Siena since weeks (around €800.000). The official announcement is expected soon. Sportando

David Andersen, Turkey, Fenerbahce Ulker 

In the upcoming days Fenerbahce will announce the signing of David Andersen, as reported by Fanatik.com. The Australian forward with Danish passport comes from Montepaschi Siena who will get around 800.000 euros as buyout. Sportando

David Andersen, Turkey, Fenerbahce Ulker 

Hidayet Turkoglu: "I have two more years remaining in my current contract. If my body holds up, I want to play a few more years and plan to retire in Turkey playing my final season in Turkish league." Hurriyet

Orlando Magic, Hidayet Turkoglu, Turkey 

Taurean Green just completed a season playing overseas in Turkey and is contemplating accepting an invite to an NBA training camp. He also has offers to play overseas in Italy, Germany, Belgium and France. Green said he will play pro basketball “as long as my body will let me.” But he’s also already began thinking of his post-playing career as a coach. GatorSports.com

Free Agency, Turkey, Taurean Green, Training Camp 

On Sunday (5/8) Maria Sharapova denied that she will marry her longtime partner Sasha Vujacic in Istanbul, but Efes fans have nothing to worry about. The Slovenian guard will continue to be an Istanbul resident, as his deadline to sign an NBA contract expired. EuroHoops.net

Sasha Vujacic, Turkey, Efes Istanbul 

In what will surely be one of the most important moves of the summer, Fenerbahce Ulker announced the signing of point guard Bo McCalebb to a three-year deal. Sportando

Turkey, Fenerbahce Ulker, Bo McCalebb 

Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Efes Pilsen are interested in Gustavo Ayon. Encestando

Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Spain, Turkey, Efes Pilsen, Gustavo Ayon