Halperin has received contract offer from Seattle

[Arik]

We still don't know all detailes, but I've heard the Sonics want to ink Yotam on the contract with option to cut him in October if he won't fill their expectations. Another thing that can break his deal with NBA team it's Maccabi's demand to receive 500K $ compensation that Seattle refuses to pay.

[stuart]

You beat me to it... link

Sonics to make G Halperin NBA's first Israeli
ESPN.com news services

Guard Yotam Halperin is believed to be close to signing a deal with the Seattle SuperSonics, according to a report in The Jerusalem Post, which would make him the NBA's first Israeli player.

Halperin, who had signed with the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, played with Seattle during their summer league, much to the ire of the Israeli National Team, which was concerned about his level of fatigue.
The 22-year-old's agent -- an American -- was expected to arrive in Israel with his contract Monday.

Friends close to Halperin have said recently that no deal was certain, either with the Sonics or Maccabi.

Halperin has said in past interviews that he would prefer to wait for developments with the Sonics or other European teams before finalizing matters with Maccabi.

The Sonics chose Halperin with the 53rd pick in June's draft.

[ziv]

obviously we israelis quite excited about it. this was 3rd or 4th item on the news tonight (and hey this is israel - we have wars and stuff to open the news...).
israel is (and nba managment is aware of it) one of the biggest nba fan nations. nba live games we're broadcasted in israel even when we had only 1 or 2 national tv channels. israelis "almost" signed with nba teams for quite some time - doron jamchi was somewhat close to sign with washington (bullets than), nadav henefeld was close to boston, doron shefer was the first to be drafted (96 by the clippers), oded katash already agreed with knicks but dut to the strike he decided to comeback to maccabi (and if we go back - i think miki berkovic was close to sign too).
still there's a doubt about yotam's ability to succed there atm and there's the maccabi issue (too many players are required and halperin should have a central role) but if he'll sign - i wish him all the best.

[Roy M]

Lot of noise, many waves for noting...
not an offer, not a bloffer... Just a regular step by the Sonics, to keep hie rights on their hands.
He will not play in the NBA this season.

[Proph·et]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...teed_contract/

[SHARP]

I think it wil be a mistake for Yotam to play in the NBA next season,
because he will sit on the bench in Seattle.He has chance to play in Maccabi's starting 5 and it will be stupid to go to the NBA this year.

[Joško Poljak Fan]

he is rushing to NBA too fast, he'll get sitted down on bench with the defense as an (legitimate) excuse...

[Roy M]

I think it wil be a mistake for Yotam to play in the NBA next season,
because he will sit on the bench in Seattle.He has chance to play in Maccabi's starting 5 and it will be stupid to go to the NBA this year.

He has no place i Maccabi starting 5. He can play in the 3rd or 4th division in Israel, nothing more. He is a media fiction.

[Arik]

He has no place i Maccabi starting 5. He can play in the 3rd or 4th division in Israel, nothing more. He is a media fiction.

If Israelis like Yotam were playing in our 3rd division, our NT was probably humiliating NBA All-Star team

[elaj]

He has no place i Maccabi starting 5. He can play in the 3rd or 4th division in Israel, nothing more. He is a media fiction.

no comment

[Roy M]

no comment

I'm not alone with this opinion. Many Maccabi fans don't like this weeper guy.
We don't want him in Maccabi.

[Dookie]

no comment

It's true.
Many Maccabi fans dislike him, after he said some BS to the press about his role in the last years in Maccabi.

[elaj]

Then I support him by not joining Maccabi this season.

[Pija_Olimp]

He has no place i Maccabi starting 5. He can play in the 3rd or 4th division in Israel, nothing more. He is a media fiction.

Well, what a strange country. He suppose not to be good enough for your 1st and 2nd division, but we here think he's more than good for the EL. So what I suggest is that you give him back to us, we can find a room for him, don't worry. After a year we'll sell him to an ACB or Italian club, so he'll be happy and we'll be happy and you as well because you don't need to see him again - only in the opposite team.

[Roy M]

Well, what a strange country. He suppose not to be good enough for your 1st and 2nd division, but we here think he's more than good for the EL. So what I suggest is that you give him back to us, we can find a room for him, don't worry. After a year we'll sell him to an ACB or Italian club, so he'll be happy and we'll be happy and you as well because you don't need to see him again - only in the opposite team.

Take him for free. We will thank you...