Report: Metta World Peace heading to Chinese Basketball Association to join Sichuan Blue Whales
Metta World Peace, it turns out, is a man of his word — the 34-year-old forward really isn't retired. But he also won't be playing professional basketball in the NBA next season. Or, at least, he won't be at the start of the season.
After tweeting early Tuesday morning that he "met with three teams" about playing in China, that a "deal [was] done" and that he "just [had] to sign now," the former Ron Artest has reportedly reached an agreement to join the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association, as first reported by ESPN New York's Ian Begley and subsequently confirmed by Chinese news outlet Sports Sina (via Sportando).
RealGM's Shams Charania reports that World Peace will receive a one-year deal worth $1.43 million, which is a shade less than what he'd make on a 10-plus-year veteran's minimum deal stateside, but will make him the highest-paid import player in the CBA. World Peace still hopes to land a roster spot with an NBA team once the Chinese pro season wraps up in February, according to Charania.
World Peace's chances of piquing NBA interest would figure to improve dramatically if he can show a capacity to make a consistent impact against younger competition, even in a lesser league. First thing's first, though — he'll have to stay on the floor.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/report--metta-world-peace-heading-to-chinese-basketball-association-to-join-sichuan-blue-whales-212307858.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.