Yup, according to an israeli sports site, Halperin is about to sign a contract with Seattle. Since the source is in Hebrew, I've translated some of it for you guys: "Yotam Halperin is expected to become the first Israeli ever in the NBA. Today(Monday) afternoon, Halperin's American agent is expected to land in Israel with a signed contract with the Sonics. Levin (agent) is to meet Halperin and his family, and present to them a contract signed by the western conference team, that selected him 53rd overall in June. Halperin's mom, Malka Halperin, said in a statement to the website, 'We don't know more than you guys do. Today his agent is supposed to arrive, but that's stilll far away. We haven't advanced anywhere yet. We'll wait until he arrives and we'll see what he has to say.' Another Israeli source reports that he is to earn around $448,000 a year. His buyout from Maccabi Tel-Aviv, where he has a one year contract right now, will cost $500,000.
Word from the Sonics is that Halperin was offered the standard, non-guaranteed tender for second rounders which is required to retain draft rights. There was no mention of a guaranteed contract or a buyout. Denham Brown received the same type of tender this week.
From the Times: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Contrary to a report in the Jerusalem Post, the Sonics are not close to signing rookie guard Yotem Halperin to a one-year deal. The 6-5 shooting guard, who was taken in the second round of the draft (53rd overall), was tendered a standard non-guaranteed rookie contract, which allows Seattle to secure his NBA rights. The Sonics will also tender guard Denham Brown to a rookie contract and invite him to training camp.</div>
