J.A. Adande of ESPN reports that Wilson Chandler has signed a one-year deal in China with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association. The terms of the deal beyond length aren't known, though Adande reports that Chandler will be paid more than the $1.7 million reported in recent rumors but less than the $3.1 million Chandler would be eligible for via a qualifying offer from the Denver Nuggets. Chandler, who was a part of the Carmelo Anthony trade last February, is a Nuggets' restricted free agent.
Wilson Chandler Signs In China Without NBA Lockout Opt-Out, Says Reports
The CBA passed a rule earlier in August banned clubs from signing players under NBA contract and also prohibiting opt-out clauses allowing players to end their Chinese contracts in the event of the NBA lockout ending. That means Chandler will be in China all season, no matter what happens with the lockout. It also means that unless NBA rules change, Chandler will remain a restricted free agent in 2012.
Chandler is the first current starting-level NBA player to sign in China. More than two dozen players have signed in Europe and South America.
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