Deron Williams isn't the only one headed to Turkey. Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia is apparently going with him.
The New York Times reports that the Atlanta big from the Republic of Georgia has also inked a proposed deal to spend part of the NBA's "Fall of frustration" over in Europe. Just like Williams, a legit NBA superstar, Pachulia could potentially lace the sneakers for Turkey's Besiktas team, giving the club a formidable 1-2 punch of legitimate NBA players on their roster.
Assuming that Pachulia's contract is anything like Williams' proposed deal, the Atlanta big will leave his trendy Buckhead restaurant behind and play some Turkish league basketball starting Sept. 1. The deal should have an escape clause that would let Pachulia head back to the ATL if the NBA's owners and players come to their senses and settle this little lockout thingy, which may wipe out the entire 2011-12 season.
Besiktas opens its season on Sept. 27 and hopes to add a few more big-named NBA players on their roster if labor peace is not achieved in the NBA.