Deron Williams' agreement with Besiktas, a Turkish club team in Istanbul, has been confirmed, according to a report by Howard Beck of the New York Times. The New Jersey Nets' star will indeed play for the team until the NBA lockout is resolved, and the arrangement will be made official within 24 hours.
"We confirm" the contract with Williams, said Ergin Ataman, the coach of the Turkish team Besiktas, in a telephone interview Thursday.
A news conference involving Williams and Besiktas' president is expected next week, according to Beck. Williams will make $350,000 a month, according to a report, which would make him the highest-paid American player playing anywhere overseas. He will be free to return to the NBA once the lockout is resolved. It remains to be seen whether FIBA will attempt to block the move.
Besiktas is the club Allen Iverson played for when he played in Turkey. Its season begins in late September, and Williams would report as soon as late-August.
For more on Williams and the Nets, visit Nets Daily and SB Nation New York.