Suns' Brooks stuck in China? : Yahoo! Sports reports that several players who signed contracts to play in China during the NBA lockout will not be allowed out of their contracts until the current season is over. The four players affected by this are Denver's J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin and Wilson Chandler and Phoenix's Aaron Brooks. The players have reportedly been misbehaving in hopes of being waived, but that doesn't seem like it is going to happen. As one Chinese Basketball official put it: "They can play, get paid [in China] and return to the NBA in March, or they can not get paid, and return to the NBA in March." (Updated 11/28/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/21/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Brooks and the others are learning quickly not to mess with China. Unlike other players who chose to play overseas during the lockout, these Chinese contracts are not easy to get out of and Brooks and company might miss pretty much the entire NBA season. Fantasy owners will want to pay attention to news on this as none of the listed players above would be worth drafting if they cannot play until March. (Updated 11/28/2011).
After averaging 19.6 points and 5.3 assists per game in 2009-10 with the Rockets, Aaron Brooks appeared to be on the verge of joining the elite class of young NBA point guards that includes the likes of Deron Williams, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo. However, a slow start in 2010-11 and an injury opened up the door for Kyle Lowry and the Rockets saw fit to deal Brooks to the Suns, where he'll serve as Steve Nash's backup until he's ready to call it a career. Barring an injury or a trade involving Nash, Brooks is likely to be limited to no more than around 20 minutes per game. In 25 games with the Suns last season, he averaged just 9.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. Clearly capable of much more, Brooks has been reduced to being a player to stash in keeper leagues or a handcuff option for Nash owners. He's one twisted ankle away from returning to Fantasy stardom, though, and could be a wise investment with a late-round pick for those owners with some patience. (Updated 8/28/11)
