Gilbert Arenas Close To Deal That Will Reunite Him With Other Former NBAers In China

Former NBAer GILBERT ARENAS "is nearing an agreement on a one-yer contract" with the Chinese Basketball Association team Guangdong Southern Tigers, according to Marc J. Spears of YAHOO! SPORTS. Arenas "hoped to return to the NBA this season," while working out in his hometown of L.A., but no teams showed interest. The contract will place Arenas with former NBA player YI JIANLIAN (YAHOO! SPORTS, 10/22). ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Arenas "is on his way to join" former NBA player TRACY MCGRADY. Sources said that Arenas "also had negotiations" with the YAO MING-owned Shanghai Sharks before agreeing to sign with Guangdong (ESPN.com, 10/23). NIUBBALL.com wrote Guangdong GM LIU HONGJIANG "moved to cool down American reports." He said that a deal has not "been formally reached," and there are logistics that "still need to be worked out" with Arenas and his representatives. Liu said that "a final decision likely won't be reached until the league's preseason" (NIUBBALL.com, 10/24).