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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 him 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 contracts 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 season 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 Chandler would not be a part of the NBA if the season begins on time or even with an abbreviated schedule starting in January or February.

"Maybe I'll lose out," Chandler said. "But I think it can be a great experience. 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."

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Still restricted though, probably helps you all in the 2012 draft unless you were planning on making the playoffs.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_18782468

Chandler, currently a Nuggets restricted free agent, will take his talents to Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association, his agent said today. So, if the current lockout is resolved, Chandler won't be able to leave his team and return to the NBA, the way Lithuania-bound Nuggets guard Ty Lawson can.

Chandler, 24, will make somewhere between $1.7 million and the $3.1 million qualifying offer that the Nuggets made. And he'll play for coach Jim Cleamons, a longtime Phil Jackson assistant for both the Bulls and Lakers.

Unfortunate although depending on the new CBA they can hold his rights, and I doubt he stays in China for that kind of money when he can make triple that in the NBA.

I wonder if he could ask for his release or force his release (maybe by refusing to play) in order to return to the NBA. From what I understand he can return to the NBA once their season is over. Does anyone know when that is? And if this is the case, he would probably be very limited on his free agency options because it will probably be mid season as opposed to whatever free agency signing period we would have after the lockout.

DaFan334 wrote:I wonder if he could ask for his release or force his release (maybe by refusing to play) in order to return to the NBA. From what I understand he can return to the NBA once their season is over. Does anyone know when that is? And if this is the case, he would probably be very limited on his free agency options because it will probably be mid season as opposed to whatever free agency signing period we would have after the lockout.

I know he has to play out the season, but how long that is I have no idea. Although that will limit him, and may force him to come right back to Denver after he is done.

Absolutely must re-sign JR.

I understand he could be back in April, so he could come back, sign a one year deal for the rest of the season, which Denver would match, of course. However that would be the end of his restricted free agent status and he could then sign anywhere after this season. Assuming there is a season.

Effigy wrote:I understand he could be back in April, so he could come back, sign a one year deal for the rest of the season, which Denver would match, of course. However that would be the end of his restricted free agent status and he could then sign anywhere after this season. Assuming there is a season.

How many teams are going to sign someone to a one year contract in April for a guy who will not be eligible to play in the playoffs? Especially when they will have no bird rights for the following season?

i hope chandler plays back-up sf the rest of his career.

JR Smith is now looking to do the same thing.

Uggg...

Both Chandler and JR were going to leave regardless of the lockout.

We have Jordan Hamilton for backup SF as well as Gary Forbes 3rd string. And considering ultra-durable Andre Miller will spend a lot of time next to Lawson, we really only need one backup SG.

For what it's worth, SG is the deepest position in this year's free agency.

Worst case scenario is that we suck badly during the shortened season anyway, get a lotto pick, get JR and WC back the season after and become set for the next 5 seasons.

Looks like KMart is talking to China as well, he is looking at more then Jr is looking to get.
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_18860889

JR, Chandler and Kmart all going to China?

is there any chance chandler could get out of his contract if the lockout ends and the season has not started for china.

also coaches and gms can now talk to their players.

youngthegiant wrote:also coaches and gms can now talk to their players.

huh?