Beşiktaş in chase for LA’s Odom

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom has reached an agreement in principle to join with Beşiktaş Milangaz and team up with star guard Deron Williams, according to reports.

Beşiktaş manager Murat Murtezaoğlu said on Friday that the Istanbul club was hoping to reach a deal with Odom “soon.” He refused to discuss further details, but Odom has indicated that he plans to join the Istanbul-based team as early as next week if the NBA lockout continues, according to ESPN.com.

Sources told ESPN.com that the deal would pay Odom in excess of $2 million if he spends the rest of the season with Besiktas. The deal will include an opt-out clause to return to the NBA as soon as the lockout ends, same as in Williams’ contract.

After Minnesota’s Kevin Love turned down the chance last weekend to take a similar deal to play alongside Williams, ESPN.com reported late Tuesday that Odom was the new target.

According to various media reports in Turkey, Besiktas also entered into talks with Williams’ New Jersey teammate Brook Lopez this week while waiting on Odom’s decision.