Greg Oden, Dorell Wright to Play in China Next Season

Former Portland Trail Blazers Greg Oden and Dorell Wright have both signed deals to play in China next season, taking the route used by other NBA players in the past.

Wright signed with the Chongqing Soaring Dragons, according to David Pick, while Oden was picked up by the Jiangsu Dragons, as originally reported by RealGM.

Source: Dorell Wright has left the NBA, signed overseas in China with Chongqing Dragons.

— David Pick (@IAmDPick) August 17, 2015

Oden, the former number one overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, last played in the NBA in 2014 with the Miami Heat.  He averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds off the bench for the Heat during their run to the NBA Finals, where they were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in five games.  Injuries have shortened the career of the former Ohio State star, and he has played in just 104 games since entering the NBA.  He worked out last season for the Mavericks and Grizzlies, but did not reach a deal.

Oden received a 1-year, $1.2 million deal from the Dragons, whose roster already includes Arnett Moultrie, who played for Portland in the Summer League this season.

Wright averaged 4.6 points and 2.3 points last season off the bench for the Trail Blazers.  Over his career, he has averaged 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Blazers, Warriors, Heat, and 76ers.

Other NBA players who extended their career in China include Aaron Brooks, Wilson Chandler, Metta World Peace, and Michael Beasley, as well as former Trail Blazer Bonzi Wells.

[Thank you to WessyWesIsTheBessyBest and Blazerfan72 for posting these stories first in the Fanshots]