Andray Blatche, who many expected to sign an NBA deal, has instead signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, reports Andy Miller’s ASM Sports.
The Miami Heat were one team reportedly interested in Blatche after he lodged in a fantastic season with the Brooklyn Nets and the Philippines national team during the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Blatche averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game with the Nets last season. With the Philippines national team, he averaged 21.2 points and 13.8 rebounds.
The Flying Tigers made it to the CBA finals last season, and Blatche could be their missing piece to help them win a title.
It is quite shocking that Blatche was unable to reach an agreement with an NBA team, but he is extremely happy to play overseas with the Flying Tigers. He is excited “to join a first-class club.”
Andray Blatche will supply the Flying Tigers with plenty of physicality, scoring, and rebounding. However, his shot selection is questionable at times.
Nonetheless, the former Washington Wizard and Brooklyn Net, who was one of the top remaining costless agents, will not be in the NBA for the first half of the season and will join former NBA player Metta World Peace in the CBA instead. However, Andray Blatche could return to the NBA after the CBA season is over.