NBA players stuck in China?
The Chinese Basketball Association instituted a rule that any NBA free agent signing in the league was not allowed an out-clause to return to the NBA if the lockout ended. (Save for Yi Jianlian, a native of the country).
Still, there was some chatter players may be able to scoot around the rule.
But according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, don't count on that happening.
He tweeted late Monday morning: "Chinese teams have shown no inclination to let Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, etc., out of contracts, sources tell Y! Sports. If strategy becomes to make themselves problems there -- or In Smith's case, a bigger problem -- teams can fine, suspend them, without pay. The NBA's a member of FIBA, and it abides by international contracts signed by players. Players and agents knew that when they signed deals."
With the three listed about all receiving solid playing time as members of the Nuggets last season -- and with them seemingly not able to come back for the NBA's free agency period -- the Nuggets are going to have to do some re-tooling via the free-agent market next month.
-- Ryan Corazza
The Chinese Basketball Association instituted a rule that any NBA free agent signing in the league was not allowed an out-clause to return to the NBA if the lockout ended. (Save for Yi Jianlian, a native of the country).
Still, there was some chatter players may be able to scoot around the rule.
But according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, don't count on that happening.
He tweeted late Monday morning: "Chinese teams have shown no inclination to let Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, etc., out of contracts, sources tell Y! Sports. If strategy becomes to make themselves problems there -- or In Smith's case, a bigger problem -- teams can fine, suspend them, without pay. The NBA's a member of FIBA, and it abides by international contracts signed by players. Players and agents knew that when they signed deals."
With the three listed about all receiving solid playing time as members of the Nuggets last season -- and with them seemingly not able to come back for the NBA's free agency period -- the Nuggets are going to have to do some re-tooling via the free-agent market next month.
-- Ryan Corazza
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