Agent Aaron Goodwin told ESPN.com on Tuesday night that he has met with officials from Turkish club Besiktas and has likewise begun exploring opportunities for Durant in Spain and Russia. Goodwin added that playing in China is not something Durant is considering at this time.
“The Turkish option is very intriguing,” Goodwin said. “We’re looking at other countries as well. Kevin hasn’t agreed to play anywhere yet, but we’re looking for the best fit.”
via Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant in early stages of contract negotiations with Turkish team, agent says - ESPN.
Well, then.
The report originally surfaced from a Turkish newspaper reporter as translated by HoopsHype.
This is notable for a few reasons. First off, this isn’t Besiktas floating rumors about meetings with Kobe Bryant (which continue to go nowhere as our esteemed Blogger-in-Chief predicted) and having them be unsubstantiated. This is an agent for an NBA player confirming that he’s in talks with Besiktas, along with teams from two other countries. This is a progressive step forward for the concept most people are hyper-skeptical of, players going overseas and actually playing during the lockout.
That said, it’s still just talk. Until Durant’s name is on a dotted line and his bag are packed, everyone’s going to remain skeptical of this happening.
Still, it’s also interesting that Durant, much like Deron Williams, comes from a small-market team. This is a chance to expand their personal horizons and global brand in a rare opportunity. Durant obviously spent time in Turkey last summer as part of Team USA. This provides him with a big chance to do two things he loves: being loved by the masses and playing basketball. Durant’s shown with all this Pro Am and summer league play that he just wants to play basketball, and with his youth and health (knock on wood), he’s a prime candidate.
This also is going to put a huge spur in the side of Clay Bennett. Bennett is a smart businessman, and it’s been rumored he’s been a part of the contingent of smaller market and newer owners wrestling for a total year-long lockout in order to change the model. But having the star of his franchise, the jewel of the crown he brought to Oklahoma City risking injury every night making someone else money in Istanbul or Madrid is going to give him pause. He won’t admit it, he won’t respond to it. But it’s going to make for some tension. If Durant goes, again, which is key.
The talk continues, but man, it’s getting louder and louder.
