Deron Williams has tweeted that it's "official", even posting his signature on a contract with Besiktas of Istanbul. Not so fast, reports Sean Deveney of Sporting News.
Until FIBA, basketball's governing body, declares the contract legal, Deveney writes, it's not binding and he's not bound for Besiktas.
"Everybody is waiting to see what happens with Williams," one agent tells Deveney. "If FIBA says it’s not a legal contract, everybody’s going to have to go back to the drawing board." The key issue is the "out" clause, which permits Williams to return to the NBA immediately after the lockout is over. FIBA could determine that such a clause is illegal, on the grounds that it detracts from the stability of the Turkish league, he writes.
There's no timetable as to when FIBA will issue a ruling, although a federation delegation visited the NBA offices this week. The league has been silent on the issue.
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