Yuta Watanabe Close To Signing Deal In Japan

[RealGM Wiretap]

Yuta Watanabe is close to a deal with the Chiba Jets of Japan's B.League. Watanabe has spent the last six seasons in the NBA, but announced earlier this offseason that he was planning to play in Japan for next season.

Watanabe has played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns in his NBA career. Last season, he signed with the Suns on a two-year deal, before being traded to the Grizzlies mid-season. Watanabe has a $2.6 million player option for next season, which he'll have to decline to sign with the Jets.

Watanabe will play with Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He'll then have a homecoming next season as the biggest Japanese star to play in the country's top league.

Via Donatas Urbonas/BasketNews

[kacey ring]

So is he done with the NBA for good? Seemed like a decent role player off the bench.

Assuming he’ll be back in the league after 1-2 seasons.

[Pickled Prunes]

So is he done with the NBA for good? Seemed like a decent role player off the bench.

Assuming he’ll be back in the league after 1-2 seasons.

NBA scrub or superstar in Japan? Easy call, particularly if it means going home.

[kacey ring]

So is he done with the NBA for good? Seemed like a decent role player off the bench.

Assuming he’ll be back in the league after 1-2 seasons.

NBA scrub or superstar in Japan? Easy call, particularly if it means going home.

He missed his mommy and daddy, I guess.

[Pickled Prunes]

So is he done with the NBA for good? Seemed like a decent role player off the bench.

Assuming he’ll be back in the league after 1-2 seasons.

NBA scrub or superstar in Japan? Easy call, particularly if it means going home.

He missed his mommy and daddy, I guess.

He's 29. I think he knows he's done here and wants to go somewhere where he'll play meaningful minutes.

[niha17]

who cares he isnt good