Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Brandon Jennings signs in China for less than NBA minimum

Boston Celtics v Washington Wizards - Game Three

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 04: Brandon Jennings #7 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Verizon Center on May 4, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Brandon Jennings’ 2016-17 season showed his problematic fit in the NBA.

The Knicks cut him, because the 27-year-old has likely already peaked and they’re building for the future. He landed with the Wizards, but they moved on because he couldn’t help them win now.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Jennings is headed to China.

Marc J. Spears of ESPN:

NBA free agent guard Brandon Jennings tells The Undefeated he has accepted a one-year, $1.5 million deal to play for China Shanxi. Jennings hopes to return to the NBA after his season in China concludes.

Jennings’ NBA minimum is $2,106,470. Taxes matter, but it doesn’t seem he’s going overseas for the cash.

This seems like a decision the NBA made for him.

Jennings looks uncomfortable in anything less than a high-volume role. He’s also not nearly good enough to justify a high-volume role, except maybe on weak bench units on bad teams. But bad teams generally prioritize younger players.

Unless Jennings changes his game, he’ll have a hard time getting back into the NBA.