Wilson Chandler Signs to Play in China

Wilson Chandler has signed a contract to play with the Zhejiang Guangsha in the Chinese Basketball Association. This move will stop him from returning to the NBA if the current lockout ends before the season beings. The CBA has not allowed players currently under contract to sign with the league so playing in China was only an option for Chandler because he is a free agent.

Unlike other European leagues that have welcomed NBA players during the lockout and provided them with clauses allowing their return to the NBA when the lockout is finished, the CBA has eliminated these clauses. This forces any player who signs there to serve the full season of their contract.

Wilson admitted that he was taking a risk by going to the Chinese league instead of another team like Olimpia Milano in Italy, but he liked that the CBA had up to three games a week compared to one in Italy. He also liked that a former Dallas Mavericks coach who was an assistang on Phil Jackson's championship teams in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Signing Chandler gives Zhejiang Guangsha the maximum of two foreign players allowed by the league. They have also signed Earl Clark, a former member of the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic.