By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Back in 2010, Turkish club Besiktas made headlines around the globe for signing an absolute NBA superstar Allen Iverson. Next year, they also acquired three-time All-Star guard Deron Williams during the NBA lockout of 2011.
These were some pretty impressive transfers for a European team (especially considering the fact that Besiktas didn’t play in EuroLeague then) but there were also another name on the club’s agenda. One that could bring the house down.
According to then-coach Ergin Ataman, Besiktas came really close to signing no other than Kobe Bryant.
“We signed with Deron Williams during the lockout. And we almost signed Kobe Bryant as well. There had been talks for three days, in the last moment Kobe told us that lockout was about to end and he wanted to stay,” Ataman said in “Time-Out” TV show of Turkish Bein Sports.
Ataman also revealed that Besiktas tried to sign… Kevin Durant.
“We talked with Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant. Thanks to the fire we lit up with the arrival of Deron Williams, we finished the season with three cups (Turkish League and Cup, Eurochallenge).”