Jeff Adrien To Play In China

Jeff Adrien has reached agreement on a deal to play in China for the rest of the season, reports Shams Charania of RealGM (Twitter link). Adrien is headed to Guangdong, Charania says, and it appears as though that’s the Guangdong Southern Tigers rather than the Guangdong Foshan Dralions, since Charania also tweets that he’ll be joining Will Bynum, who plays for the Tigers. There’s no word on specific financial details, but it’s a lucrative arrangement and his salary is guaranteed, according to Charania.

Adrien’s addition to the Tigers would be an ominous sign for marquee draft prospect Emmanuel Mudiay, who also plays for the team. Teams in the Chinese Basketball Association are allowed to have only two healthy American players. Mudiay has been planning to remain in China all season as he works his way back from a sprained ankle that he suffered in November, but it appears Guangdong isn’t going to wait on him as the Chinese playoffs approach.

Adrien was drawing interest from NBA teams before agreeing to the Chinese deal, Charania reports. The Timberwolves waived Adrien earlier this month, shortly before his prorated minimum salary would have become guaranteed for the rest of the season. The Aaron Mintz client is poised to go back on the market after his Chinese team is eliminated, and thanks to the accelerated Chinese schedule, that should happen with enough time left for him to attract NBA teams looking to bolster their rosters in the final weeks in the regular season.

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