Vladimir Romanov stops Weems: 'He will not leave Zalgiris Kaunas'

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.

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.