According to Andrew Crawford of Sheridan Hoops, several teams are reportedly lining up to get the service of free-agent big man Andray Blatche, who is putting up monster numbers in the Chinese Basketball League.
Unsuccessful in landing a decent contract last offseason, Blatche decided to take his talent to China, where he has become a massive success with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
The former Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets banger is currently the front-runner for the league's MVP award, averaging 30.4 points, 15.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.8 steals per contest while becoming a more accurate three-point shooter.
Blatche, who was taken in the second round (49th overall) of the 2005 Draft, is earning $2.5 million for his stint in the CBA and could get another decent paycheck with an NBA team when his current contract expires in March.
The Miami Heat has been mentioned as the most aggressive suitor for Blatche after their frontline got ravaged by injuries. Another team being linked to Blatche is the Memphis Grizzlies, who are still searching for a solid reliever for starting power forward Zach Randolph.
Whatever team he picks, Blatche will bank on his strong performance in China to gain more leverage in contract negotiation. Crawford stated Blatche could get a contract that pays more than league veterans earn at minimum.
"Interest in Blatche has been building for a while as he continues to tear through Chinese basketball. Miami has long been seen as a suitor, but now reports in both America and China are also linking him to the Memphis Grizzlies," Crawford stressed.
"With a growing reputation and a number of clubs wanting to pick him up, Blatche is in a situation where he should be able to command a decent offer for a returning free agent from China."
Before his tour of duties in China, Blatche beefed up the Philippine men's basketball team as its naturalized player at the FIBA World Cup, helping the tiny but basketball-crazy Asian country bag its first win (81-79 overtime win over Senegal) in the quadrennial hoops event in 40 years.
