"Nets point guard Deron Williams left for Turkey on Thursday to prepare for his time playing there during the NBA lockout, ProBasketballTalk.com reports.

Williams, recovering from wrist surgery, signed to play for Besiktas earlier this summer.

A free agent after the next NBA season, Williams told The Salt Lake Tribune, "I'm excited. I think it'll be exciting to go over there and play basketball, for one, while everybody else isn't. It'll just be an exciting time for my family. See a new culture."

Williams dismissed concerns about the playing conditions in Europe, and those who question his going there."