NBA stars and their international crossovers to China are nothing new. Stephon Marbury, for instance, went through an entire second phase of his career playing on four different Chinese Basketball Association teams. But perhaps the biggest name yet to land on the trading table is Dwyane Wade, having just been offered a three year, 25 million USD contract to play with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.
Wade spoke to the Associated Press on the decision:
“When I get back from China, I’ll focus on that. Right now, I’m focused on the game after basketball. Whatever happens in basketball, it happens. I’ve done everything that I can to this point to put myself that I’m in this position I am today, where I can do something that hasn’t been done globally yet. The basketball will take care of itself. I’ll sit down and figure that out once I get back from this tour at some point.”
The tour he’s talking about is one that is currently ongoing, as Wade makes his way through China. Wade is no stranger to the country, having just last week signed a lifetime deal with sports apparel brand Li-Ning.
Meanwhile, Marbury took to Twitter to weigh in from a standpoint of personal experience:
@DwyaneWade can do whatever he wants. He’s DWADE. The Place where their talking about is near Siberia. I don’t think Gab and him are rocking like that. Maybe for 20 mill possible. BUT I doubt it. 50 plus games commercial FLIGHTS is A different BEAST! Just gonna keep it 100 https://t.co/nyqluJEdpp
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) July 24, 2018
Wade has already made clear that he won’t be moving to another NBA team: he’s either sticking with the Miami Heat, retiring, or moving to China. And despite his skeptical comments, Marbury would still encourage Wade to make his China rounds.
Yes I would! He’s the man here. He has the best brand in China backing him so he’s golden. That smile is real when he smiles. https://t.co/XAPUyMq6dq
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) July 24, 2018
The decision should be made in the next few days, or we’ll see if the Zhejiang Golden Bulls — who play their basketball in trading capital Yiwu, a couple of hours south of Shanghai and nowhere near Siberia (sorry Stephon) — are ready to make their offer to a different star NBA player. China awaits to see if D-Wade will be moving in to stay.
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