Once dealt to the Atlanta Hawks in the blockbuster trade sending Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets, former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar agreed to be bought out by the Hawks for $1.5 million.
As a result of the buyout, Farmar will officially become an unrestricted free agent. Reportedly, the 25-year-old guard is prepared accept an offer from a club overseas according to RealGM.com:
“Farmar is expected to accept a three-year, $10.5 million offer from Anadolu Efes, of Istanbul.”
After neglecting to consider a long-term future with the Lakers having already won two championships in Los Angeles, Farmar decided to test the free agent market an attempt to become a starter in the NBA. Unfortunately, shortly after signing a three-year deal worth $12 million with the Nets, New Jersey acquired superstar point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz via trade.
Once the Nets officially became Williams’ team, Farmar’s chances of becoming a starter or achieving the goal he set out for after leaving the Lakers via free agency turned into nothing more than dream. With that being said, the buyout from the Hawks was anticipated with the backcourt led by Jeff Teague in Atlanta.
Now it appears that Farmar’s career in the NBA may be over for the time being with a three-year deal ready to be signed. The deal with Anadolu Efes is much more than Farmar would get if he stayed in the league and a somewhat smart decision on his part in terms of financial security moving forward.
As for a return to the Lakers, the odds are highly unlikely with Farmar almost certainly signing the proposed deal to play in Istanbul. Even if Farmar did return to Los Angeles, the Lakers would only offer the veteran’s minimum and have a crowded backcourt with Steve Blake, Darius Morris and Steve Nash.
If Farmar indeed signs the deal to play with Anadolu Efes, the former UCLA standout will only be 28-years-old after three years overseas. That being said, there’s still a chance the two-time NBA champion will return to the league after a stint overseas.
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