J.R. Smith is getting his press.
Same goes for Wilson Chandler of late.
But when it comes to NBA free agents playing in China probably the one guy who will have even a bigger impact upon his return to the league than Smith and Chandler is point guard Aaron Brooks. His future should continue in Phoenix, but right now there are no guarantees as these free agents get set to ease back into some NBA normalcy after what’s been a wild and crazy ride in the Chinese Basketball Association.
After the Los Angeles Clippers signed Kenyon Martin last Friday, word spread that the Clippers will next pursue Smith once the CBA finishes its season and Smith receives FIBA clearance and becomes eligible to play back in the NBA. Such speculation has ramped up since earlier in the week when it was learned Chauncey Billups was lost for the season after tearing his left Achilles.
You can also add the New York Knicks to the mix for Smith, with head coach Mike D’Antoni acknowledging the Knicks’ are in desperate need of another shooter and knowing Smith’s ability to fill it up, he certainly fits the bill in New York. There is also Smith’s connection to Carmelo Anthony from their Denver days that might play in favor of a reunion at Madison Square Garden.
Much like Martin and Smith, Chandler also played for the Denver Nuggets last season before making the jump to China during the NBA lockout, but the difference is he’s more inclined to rejoin head coach George Karl in Denver.
Chandler’s agent, Chris Luchey, recently confirmed several teams are interested in Chandler — who currently plays for Zhejiang Guangsha — but they feel strongly about returning to the Nuggets to finish out the rest of this season or even negotiating a long-term deal. The other interesting option Chandler may have is with the Toronto Raptors who are reportedly heavily interested in the swingman.
And then there is Aaron Brooks.
His best season in the NBA came in 2009-10 when he averaged 19.6 points and 5.6 assists per game in 82 starts for the Houston Rockets. Brooks followed up that season by winning the Most Improved Player award, before being shipped off to Phoenix for Goran Dragic and a first round pick last season.
After splitting 2011 between Houston and Phoenix, Brooks signed with Guangdong Hongyuan shortly before the lockout was settled and the restricted free agent will be available to return to the NBA once the postseason concludes in the Chinese Basketball Association in March. On the season, Brooks is averaging 21.3 points, 4.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 52% from the field and 44% from 3-pointers for the defending CBA champions and league leading Guangdong.
Then again, it all depends if Brooks ends up back with the Suns. While Phoenix maintains his rights, Brooks may opt to sit out the rest of the NBA season in search of a multi-deal contact.
His numbers in Phoenix last season were decent off the bench: 9.6 points and 4.2 assists per game in 25 appearances. But considering the Suns’ struggles this season in the Western Conference at 11-15 and out of the playoff picture as we near the halfway point to this lockout shortened season, and Brooks will be a much welcomed addition back in Phoenix.
Both Sebastian Telfair and Ronnie Price are sharing back-up duties behind Steve Nash, but neither Telfair (4.6 points and 1.6 assists in 13 minutes per game) nor Price (3.8 points and 2.2 assists in 16 minutes per game) are bringing the scoring punch Brooks can deliver in the second unit for Alvin Gentry.
Brooks is also well conditioned and ready to run. He’s as quick as ever and once he gets into the paint, Brooks has the ability to break down a defense.
One more factor to consider: Brooks could return to the NBA with a championship if Guangdong repeats in the CBA. That overseas experience is tough to beat.
Then it comes down to can Brooks get to Phoenix in time to help salvage their season, or will he opt to sit this one out.
