Despite the Chinese Basketball Association's stand that they wouldn't give NBA players an out clause in any contracts — meaning if the lockout ends, they're stuck in China — Magic forward Earl Clark has reportedly signed a contract to play in the People's Republic for the 2011-12 season, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
Magic Forward Earl Clark Signs One-Year Pact With Chinese Team
Magic forward Earl Clark has reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Zhejiang Lions in China, the first NBA player to agree to terms with a Chinese team.
Clark will play next season for the Zhejiang Lions. Zhejiang has been seemingly the only Chinese team with a serious interest in NBA players, as they've been connected to Dirk Nowitzki and offered a crazypants contract to Dwyane Wade, and no doubt have reached out to players besides just Nowitzki, Wade and Clark.
Clark will sign a contract in the “high six figures,” according to Wojnarowski’s source, which isn’t exactly chump change, but it’s not the kind of contract you’d expect someone to sign without an out clause. That’s right, even if the lockout is lifted, Clark will be stuck in China.
Of course, if you ask Magic fans or fans of his former team, the Phoenix Suns, they might tell you China is stuck with him.
For more updates on NBA players’ conversations with teams overseas during the lockout, follow this StoryStream.
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