Veteran NBA big man Marreese Speights is signing a deal in China for the next seasons, according to a report from International reporter David Pick. Speights is expected to sign with Guangzhou Long-Lions but terms of the deal are still unknown. Speights spent this season with the Orlando Magic, where he signed for the veteran’s minimum. In 52 games with Orlando, Speights averaged 7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 39.5 percent from the field.
Guangzhou Long-Lions had two former NBA players on their roster last season, point guard Semaj Christon and big man Tyler Hansbrough.
Before joining the Magic last summer, Speights also played for Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers, the team who originally drafted him. If the deal will be indeed finalized, this would be the first overseas experience for the former Florida alum.
During his career, Speights has won one NCAA title, in 2007 with Florida under coach Billy Donovan, and one NBA title, in 2015 with the Golden State Warriors under coach Steve Kerr. This move represents the first major signing of an American player in China for this summer. The Chinese market has become increasingly popular among those players who struggle to find enough opportunities in the league and want to try a new experience with the right economic return.
