The NBA lockout keeps plodding along with fewer and fewer signs of resolution any time soon. Some NBA players are looking for employment elsewhere until play resumes. Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat is one of those players being courted by a professional basketball team from abroad.
According to the Turkish NTV Spor, Gortat is close to signing with Turkish professional team Besiktas Milangaz. Gortat, a native of Poland, averaged 10.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 2010-2011. Besiktas Milanganz has been trying to lure several other NBA stars to play with Deron Williams, but it appears Gortat will be the one joining up.
Ironically, one reason cited for the team settling on Gortat instead of Carlos Boozer or Luol Deng was lower insurance costs on his remaining NBA contract. Gortat was unable to play for his Polish National team back in August due to the unavailability of an insurance policy to cover him.
It would seem, the insurance companies have figured out the mechanics of such policies and now can benefit from the NBA lockout.
Gortat came to the Suns in December 2010 as part of the Vince Carter deal, and was originally drafted by Phoenix in the second round in 2005. The move to a Turkish team wouldn't be much of a stretch for the European-born center, who played international basketball professionally from 2002-2007.
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