Bahcesehir reportedly nearing deal with Sam Dekker / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

It looks like Sam Dekker will not be missing Europe, after all.

Sam Dekker

MIN:0.9PTS:0 (NAN%)REB:0As:0ST:0BL:0TO:0GM:1ProfileNBA2021/2022

A few months after the experienced forward returned to the NBA to play with the Toronto Raptors, he was waived by the Canadian franchise. According to Sportando's Emiliano Carchia, he is Turkey-bound, as his next stop will most probably be Bahcesehir Istanbul.

The Turkish side recently gave up on Ben Bentil, receiving a significant buy-out from AX Armani Exchange Milan to release him. Dekker is destined to replace the big from Ghana on the roster, as Bahcesehir are the clear favorites to win the FIBA Europe Cup this year.

The Toronto Raptors officially waived Sam Dekker just before his contract guarantee date on November 6, in an attempt to save some luxury tax money. Dekker had appeared in just one game this season.

The 27-year-old had previously played for Turk Telekom (2020-21) and Lokomotiv Kuban (2019-20), while dressing up for the Houston Rockets (the team that selected him in the draft), the Clippers, the Wizards and the Cavaliers.

"Sam was awesome. He spent a lot of time with us from the moment, all the way back from when we first looked at him in the sort-of open run situation, and he spent a lot of time working the job. But it’s the tough side of it, man. Tough side. Sorry to see him go," Raptors head coach Nick Nurse commented.

Because of the size of his partial guarantee, Dekker was ineligible to join Raptors 905 (he’s also ineligible for a two-way contract with any team due to his experience level).

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