Marbury motivated to remain in China

Stephon Marbury's agent said on Tuesday they are in discussions with several Chinese clubs after the former NBA All-Star parted ways with the Beijing Ducks on the weekend.

Marbury "will definitely play one more year," Wang Meng told Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Marbury, 40, helped the Ducks secure three CBA championship titles after joining the team in 2011 following a roller coaster NBA career.

But the two sides were unable to agree on his future and the club informed Marbury on Saturday it was terminating his contract, according to a statement on the player's Weibo account.

"No matter where I am ... Beijing is my home forever. Thank you all for the understanding," Marbury wrote.

Wang said Marbury wanted to continue playing for the Ducks because he wasn't satisfied with the team's failure to make the playoffs this spring.

However, there was "too much uncertainty" as the club moved to replace players and coaches, Wang said.

In the Weibo post, Marbury said he had still been able to lead the team despite pulling a hamstring at the beginning of the season and had offered the club options - including a 20 percent cut in his salary - so he could stay on as a player-coach.

"Though I am 40 years old, I still work very hard to keep my body right and I can still play at a very high level," Marbury added.

"I am sure all the fans could tell from last season that I'm still capable of playing."

He said he was grateful to the club for releasing him from his contract so he could cut a deal with another CBA team.

Wang said Marbury's injury was healing and the Brooklyn native was "looking forward to ending his career with a victory".

Marbury carved out a remarkable second act to his career in Beijing, becoming a huge celebrity in China and boasting his own museum and a line of sneakers and sportswear.

He previously said he planned to stay in China after retiring and hoped one day to coach the national team.

"Of course the fans of Beijing who gave me my second life, thank you so much as always. Love is Love," he wrote.

Associated Press