L.A. native Gilbert Arenas was playing pickup ball in the Lakers' practice facility as recently as Thursday, but Arenas has yet to secure a training camp invite for the coming season.
Not from the Lakers or the Clippers, his two preferred destinations, or anyone else.
So ...
Sources with knowledge of Arenas' thinking told ESPN.com that the former All-Star is giving strong consideration to starting the season in China.
Arenas has spent the bulk of the offseason working out under the care of the trusted Joe Abunassar while dropping in on the occasional open gym at the Lakers' or Clippers' practice facilities and, by all accounts, looking good in those pickup games.
The reality, though, is that Arenas -- who turned 30 in January -- knows he's unlikely to command more than a veteran minimum deal at this point after appearing in just 17 games with Memphis last season. So word is that Arenas, while still holding out hope that the Lakers or Clippers decide they need him, has began to assess his non-NBA options.
And China is said to be at the top of the list, given the fact that former NBA All-Stars who go there tend to be well-compensated ... and the helpful knowledge that the short Chinese season allows for a return to the NBA in March or April if he impresses.
He has some time to decide, though, with Chinese teams still filling out rosters before their league opens play in November.
