The NBA has always been a rough league where the best of the best basketball players collide; some are fortunate enough to be always relevant throughout their career while some struggle to find a home and eventually get left in the free agent's list. But the Chinese Basketball Association are starting to reel in a couple of NBA players to play in China. Here are a couple of updates on the CBA scene:
Jiangsu Tongxi acquire two solid NBA role players
Robert Pick has reported that two NBA role players in the name of JJ Hickson and Dominique Jones will continue their basketball careers in China next season.
This is a huge move for the Jiangsu Tongxi as they acquire two amazing talents for their team and could very well help them win the title next season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted James Edward "JJ" Hickson Jr. in the 2008 NBA draft with the 19th overall pick; he played a total of eight seasons in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, and Washington Wizards. On his ninth NBA season, he decided to move to China to play for Fujian now with Hickson not getting any legit offers from NBA teams he has decided to continue his career in China.
Dominique Jones was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft but was quickly traded to the Dallas Mavericks for cash considerations amounting to 3 million dollars.
He played a total of three seasons for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA before deciding to continue his basketball career abroad. He has played in the Europe and China during those years, and now he has also decided to join the Jiangsu Tongxi along with JJ Hickson.
Ty Lawson joins Shandong Golden Stars
David Pick has reported that Ty Lawson, after denying that he is going to China, has signed a one year $2.4 million contract to play for the Shandong Golden Stars in China.
Lawson was drafted with the 18th overall pick by the Minnesota TImberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft but was quickly traded to the Denver Nuggets for future draft picks.
Lawson has played eight seasons in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and the Sacramento Kings. He had career averages of 12.7 points, 0.1 blocks, 1.2 steals, six assists, and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc. Lawson will play for the first time in his professional career with a non-NBA team, many teams were interested in him this offseason but decided that he wanted to play in China.
