By J.A. Adande
ESPN.com
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Wilson Chandler said he has signed a contract with the Zhejiang Guangsha of
the Chinese Basketball Association, a move that would essentially preclude h
im from participating in the 2011-12 NBA season if the lockout ends and the
games begin.
The Chinese Basketball Association will not allow players with existing cont
racts to sign with its teams, so playing in China is only an option for free
agents such as Chandler, a restricted free agent who finished the 2010-11 s
eason with the Denver Nuggets.
In addition, the CBA will not allow escape clauses that would allow players
to leave the Chinese league in the event the NBA resumes operations. So Chan
dler would not be a part of the NBA if the season begins on time or even wit
h an abbreviated schedule starting in January or February.
"Maybe I'll lose out," Chandler said. "But I think it can be a great experie
nce. I haven't been in any [labor negotiation] meetings. I can't call it. I'
m just taking a risk, at the end of the day."
In theory Chandler could rejoin the league on a prorated for part of the sea
son if the NBA is playing in April. Only the CBA finalists were still playin
g in April last season, so unless the Lions are among the last two battling
for the championship Chandler would be available for the end of the NBA regu
lar season if the usual schedule is followed.
As a restricted free agent the Nuggets could retain Chandler by matching an
offer made by another team. Chandler, 24, averaged 12.5 points and 5 rebound
s in 21 games with the Nuggets after being acquired from the Knicks as part
of the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York. "I like [Denver], I like
the team," Chandler said. "Great young team. Coach [George] Karl is a great
coach. I like the management. Hopefully I'm there."
Chandler's agent, Chris Luchey, did not specify the amount of the one-year c
ontract with the Guangsha, or Lions, but said it was worth less than the $3.
1 million qualifying offer the Nuggets made in order to retain their rights
to Chandler, and more than the $1.7 million offer that has been reported els
ewhere.
Chandler, who had been in talks with Olimpia Milano in Italy as well, liked
the appeal of playing up to three games a week in China, as opposed to one g
ame a week in Italy. He also liked the fact that Jim Cleamons, the former Da
llas Mavericks coach who was an assistant on Phil Jackson's championship tea
ms in Chicago and Los Angeles, will be coaching the Lions.
But he must also weigh the risk of injury and how that could affect his next
NBA contract.
"It's a huge concern," Chandler said. "But as long as I take care of my body
, I'll be fine. We've got insurance."
Chinese teams are allowed a maximum of two foreign players. The Lions, who a
re located in the city of Hangzhou, have also signed Earl Clark, who played
with the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic the past two seasons.
J.A. Adande is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
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