NBA Rumors: Taiwan Could Be Targeting Yet Another Former NBA Star

With the recent shocking signing of Dwight Howard, and the purported offer coming to another future Hall of Famer, Carmelo Anthony, it appears that Taiwan could take on more of a role as a place for former NBA stars to revive (or simply continue) their careers. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the latest targets are Isaiah Thomas and Enes Freedom.

Taiwanese basketball teams are targeting Isaiah Thomas and Enes Freedom, per @TheSteinLine

(Via https://t.co/jQvHxNAGHB) pic.twitter.com/0ZuHeCq2Q4

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) November 14, 2022

Stein says that Howard's contract with the Taoyuan Leopards was for "seven figures" (i.e. well over a million dollars), and that other teams in the relatively new league there are going to have to keep up. He says that the Taiwan route could be attractive for players "who don't want to play in China."

Thomas last played with the Charlotte Hornets last season in a solid 17-game cameo, providing leadership and some scoring off the bench. He's an 11-year NBA veteran and 2-time All-Star. Injuries have robbed him of his once-explosive game. 

Freedom (aka Kanter) is the former No. 3 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft and also played 11 seasons in the league, including a 35-game stint with the Boston Celtics last season. We can certainly assume that he doesn't want to play in China, as he has been a very vocal critic of that country, and even claims that he was cut from the NBA over his criticism of Beijing. Should be interesting if he decides to go to Taiwan, where relations with China are pretty intense. 

Photo: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports