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Lance Blanks: During our time together, Aaron made it clear to me that he has enjoyed his experience here in China. From my point of view, he is quite the world traveler, in that he is knowledgeable about the nuances of the culture and he seems to have adjusted quite well. Even with the positive experience, though, he is eager to get back home to the States, see his family and begin his off season training to prepare himself for a return to NBA. During one of our conversations he told me that he likes the city of Phoenix and had a very good experience with our organization last season. Our dialogue was positive and candid. He’s followed the team closely all season long. Suns.com

Phoenix Suns, Aaron Brooks 

It’s more likely that Brooks will sit out the remainder of the 2011-12 season and enter restricted free agency in July. By going through the traditional free agency process, Brooks would have an opportunity to test the market. He could sign an offer sheet with another team such as the Sacramento Kings or Portland Trail Blazers, two franchises that have expressed interest in Brooks for quite some time. This year’s free agent class doesn’t feature too many starting point guards so Brooks could be highly coveted. HoopsWorld

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Aaron Brooks 

Suns General Manager Lance Blanks traveled to China to watch and meet with point guard Aaron Brooks, who has led the Guangdong Southern Tigers to the Chinese Basketball Association finals. The Suns are the only NBA team that can sign Brooks this season. Otherwise, Brooks will become a restricted free agent in July. He would not be eligible for a sign-and-trade deal by not being on the Suns roster. With Sebastian Telfair's improved play and Ronnie Price as a third point guard, it would seem unlikely for the Suns to sign Brooks unless he agrees to a cap-friendly, multiyear deal. Given Brooks' lack of impact last season, the Suns have to weigh whether he is the right fit regardless. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Aaron Brooks 

Blanks made it clear that he’s not heading to China to scout Brooks, who was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2010. He already knows the 27-year-old veteran can play. “It's never been a question of talent with Aaron at the NBA level,” said the Suns’ GM, who is making the fourth trip of his NBA career to China. “The trip is more about a relationship that we have with someone who has worn a Suns' uniform. Aaron is a part of the Suns family, so we thought it was important to take the time to see him in China.” NBA.com

Phoenix Suns, China, Aaron Brooks 

“Going over to China will give us a chance to sit down with Aaron and see where his head is, in terms of his experience in China and his future,” explained Blanks, who plans to spend at least five days in China. “Our team is in a good place right now and team chemistry is important as we make a push for the playoffs. Forecasting future acquisitions or signings right now would be premature on my part.” NBA.com

Phoenix Suns, China, Aaron Brooks 

There was a catch that came with the guaranteed money in China, though. Until his team’s season was concluded, Brooks didn’t have an opt-out clause in his contract to return to the U.S. and the NBA. “When I first heard that Aaron was heading to China to play, I tried to put myself in his shoes and I thought it made sense for a player who is passionate about playing the game,” Suns General Manager Lance Blanks told Suns.com. “No one knew when the NBA would resume so there was some risk in staying here or going to China.” NBA.com

Phoenix Suns, China, Lance Blanks, Aaron Brooks 

After his tears had dried up, Stephon Marbury was the star of Game 1 of the Chinese Basketball Association finals. Marbury scored a game-high 36 points with five assists, five rebounds and one altercation as the Beijing Ducks went 1-0 up in their best-of-seven CBA finals against the defending champions Guangdong Southern Tigers with a 108-101 victory Wednesday night. Prior to the series, when the Ducks qualified to play the defending champions (who now have Aaron Brooks in their arsenal), the 35-year-old former NBA-All-Star did not restrain his emotions, letting tears roll down his cheeks. SheridanHoops

Stephon Marbury, China, Aaron Brooks 

Phoenix still has its eye on Aaron Brooks, who will be playing in the Chinese Basketball Association championship this month. The Suns want to re- sign Brooks at the right price and intend to visit him in China during the championship series. Portland and Sacramento also have interest in Brooks. ESPN.com

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, China, Aaron Brooks 

Does Aaron Brooks come back and play for the Suns this year or does he come back as a RFA for the 12/13 season? Steve Kyler: His camp says he’d have no problem sitting out if Phoenix won’t pay him… He can only sign with Phoenix as of today. So either he does a deal with them or waits until July and hits free agency again as a restricted free agent. HoopsWorld

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Aaron Brooks 

After finding out there is no escape from the contracts they signed in China, Wilson Chandler and Aaron Brooks could soon find out there’s also no escape from restricted free agency when they return to the NBA. Many of the players who signed overseas during the lockout were still under contract to their NBA team, but were able to receive necessary FIBA letters of clearance as long as their overseas contracts allowed their return to the NBA once the lockout ended. As a result, players such as the Nets’ Deron Williams played part of the Euroleague season, and then were given their release to return to the U.S. in time for the start of the NBA season. HoopsWorld

Free Agency, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks 

But restricted free agent Wilson Chandler is a high priority for the Nuggets, who soon will dispatch GM Masai Ujiri to China to touch base with Chandler in person. Denver will try to sign Chandler to a multiyear deal. But Chandler and fellow restricted free agent Aaron Brooks (Suns) play for teams expected to go deep into the playoffs, potentially delaying their return to the NBA until well into March. CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Wilson Chandler, Aaron Brooks 

With seven more games to go in the Chinese Basketball Association regular season, Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler, Patty Mills and Aaron Brooks’ NBA return from a one-year stint in China is approaching its end. But, with all of their teams in good position for the CBA playoffs, that end may not come until after February. The anticipation behind each of their individual returns is pretty obvious — the five players, all of whom signed in China during the NBA lockout, will be highly coveted free-agents whenever they are eligible to sign with NBA teams. The question isn’t whether or not they’ll sign back in the NBA — all wil receive high levels of interest from a number of different teams — but rather when they will legally be able to put pen to paper on a contract. And depending on the success of each player’s individual team in China, the answer will likely be sometime in March. NiuBBall.com

Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks 

Zhejiang Chouzhou, Smith’s team, was once positioned towards the top of the league, but have since slipped out of the playoff picture after losing six of their last eight. But, only one game out with a very easy remaining schedule, the Golden Bulls could very easily put themselves back in with a few wins. Smith leads the league in scoring with 34.2 points per game. Martin and Mills’ team, Xinjiang Guanghui, like Zhejiang Chouzhou, is also one game out of a post-season position. With five of their last seven games at home, a place where they’ve lost once all year, Xinjiang could also be in the playoffs as well. Two players who have not been mentioned thus far, Rodney Carney and Josh Powell, both of whom play for Liaoning Hengye, who are currently in fifth place at 14-11, would be playing playoff hoops if the season ended today. But their 2-9 road record will be under the microscope when they travel to play five of their last seven away from home, four of which are against teams with winning records. NiuBBall.com

Kenyon Martin, Josh Powell, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks, Rodney Carney 

J.R. Smith would like nothing more than to follow Kenyon Martin out of China and back to the United States. But a source close to the situation said we shouldn't expect other NBA players - Smith, Wilson Chandler or Aaron Brooks - to follow Martin's example and make an early exit from the Chinese Basketball Association. ESPN.com

Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks 

Thus, expect Smith, Chandler and Brooks to finish their seasons in the CBA. Smith, who tried to leave his Chinese club after suffering a controversial knee injury in his first game, recently sought a break with his club, Zhejiang, but according to a source, Smith was told that if he leaves, he would have to repay all the money he's already made plus the $500,000 buyout. And of course, he wouldn't be able to sign with an NBA team until Zhejiang ends its season. So Smith is staying put. ESPN.com

Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks 

There has been talk that NBA players can buy out of their contracts for $500,000, but even that sum isn't going to move CBA officials to clear guys to play in the NBA. "China will let these guys go home, but they’ll stop your money or even ask you for some of the money back, and you can’t play for another team around the world until your team in China’s season is over,'' the source said. ESPN.com

Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks 

Chandler and Brooks, both of whom are in favorable situations in China, are not looking to leave the CBA early, according to the source. ESPN.com

Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Martin's buyout will set the precedent for JR Smith, Wilson Chandler, Aaron Brooks in China: None will play in NBA until CBA season is over. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, JR Smith, China, Aaron Brooks 

If waived, Martin would still need to secure a FIBA letter of clearance from Xinjiang before he could join an NBA team, but there is a belief in Chinese basketball circles that the first release of an NBA player such as Martin could open the door to the returns of Chandler, Smith and Brooks as well. ESPN.com

Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, China, Aaron Brooks 

Smith, Martin and Brooks will probably end up saying the same thing. “They have to play in China, and return to the NBA in March. The CBA season is much shorter, so J.R., Aaron and Wilson could take part in the playoffs. If play well, they can get a good contract next summer,” Luchey said. SheridanHoops

Free Agency, JR Smith, China, Aaron Brooks, Keyon Martin