Romanov – I’ll Hang on to NBA Star Weems

Ex-NBA forward Sonny Weems will not be allowed to leave Euroleague team Zalgiris, owner Vladimir Romanov has told RIA Novosti. Weems joined Zalgiris during the lockout, but wrote on his blog Tuesday that he would seek to leave unless Zalgiris beat Barcelona on Thursday to keep alive the Lithuanian team’s hopes of reaching the Euroleague Top 8. “I don’t know what Weems is writing, but he will serve out his contract to the end and will be going nowhere from this club,” Romanov said Wednesday. While other NBA players signed deals with overseas teams during the lockout, Weems was one of the only players whose contract did not include a clause allowing him to return when the lockout ended. The NBA season started December 16. His contract at Zalgiris expires in the summer. Weems, 25, has not responded to Romanov’s comments, but wrote Tuesday that he had had talks with Romanov, who also owns Heart of Midlothian football club in Scotland. “I've been in discussions with my agent Roger Montgomery and owner Vladimir Romanov and see where the future lies. We've had strong discussions with the owner to see what can we do if we don't make it [to the Top 8], but I don't think I will stay around for the end of the Lithuanian League,” Weems wrote. Weems added that he had options in the United States, but said he would not return to the Toronto Raptors, where he played in 2010-11. “Toronto is not my team. They don't mention me in their future plans or anything like that. A couple other NBA teams are really interested in me and that's what I'm looking for. “I have some overseas teams also interested, but my main goal is going back to the NBA. If it's not possible, I'll stay in Europe.” Weems was a 39th pick in the 2008 draft for the Chicago Bulls, but was traded to the Denver Nuggets before he had played a game. In July 2009, Weems joined the Raptors.