http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/825498
Report: Former Lakers, Raptors point guard Dwight Buycks returning to China
by Blake Murphy Sep 07, 2:21 PM
Despite overtures from multiple NBA teams, Dwight Buycks is returning to China, according to international reporter David Pick.
Buycks had multiple non-guaranteed offers, which essentially amount to training camp invites, but Pick reports that the NBA isn't in the point guard's near-term future, as he's committed to going back to China. It's not immediately clear which Chinese team Buycks will sign with.
The 26-year-old Buycks began last season with Tianjin Ronggang of the Chinese Basketball Association, later landing in the D-League and then signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in April. He didn't get much of a chance with L.A., breaking his hand six games into his audition and prematurely ending his season.
Buycks spent the 2013-14 season with the Toronto Raptors, making the NBA after several years of D-League and overseas play. In 20 games between the two teams, Buycks has averaged 4.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, shooting 37.5 percent from the floor.
The Lakers brought Buycks to summer league in July, but he played sparingly, with the team giving long looks to their stable of young guards.
Despite his relative lack of foothold stateside, Buycks found success in China. He averaged 26.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.2 steals while shooting 49.9 percent last season.
Must be making some good Yen over there.
Maybe gettin' paid in rice and chickens, hey?
He better be getting a raise based on what's going on with Chinese currency.
Peking
The Chinese season ends before the end of the NBA season so a good year there can lead to a late season signing back in the NBA. It's become somewhat common (a few players a year).
I'm still stunned Buycks spent even a week in the NBA, so he's already exceeded my expectations.
I hope he gets on a (egg) roll in China and doesn't get called for wokking too often. I hear it's easy to get disoriented there.
OK, that's all I've got. I won't be here all week!
It's a mistake.
He should take the training camp invites. Bad move.
Not sure what he is thinking or whose advice he is taking, but I would have had him take the tryout. Especially if it was with the Sixers.
Guys like him and Vander Blue and DJO and Jerel all need to stay in the D-League or here for an NBA tryout.
Buycks, DJO, Jerel and Vander face long odds to be consistent NBA players. They may get a call up now and then. They may get in a place where they can string a season or two together at the NBA minimum. But all are really too short, too small or can't shoot the ball well enough to hit the NBA big money.
Professional basketball players have a limited timeframe to maximize their income. Going overseas is oftentimes the best way to do that.