NiuBBall.com

With Flip Murray expected to stay in the NBA this season, Zhejiang Guangsha has set their focus on signing one of either Von Wafer or Rafer Alston, according to hoopCHINA.com.

Wafer is currently signed with the Celtics, but it’s not certain he will be on their opening night roster.  The Celtics brought 17 players under contract into camp, a number which now stands at 16 after Oliver Lafayette was cut over the weekend.  With Delonte West brought on board earlier this month to solidify Boston’s backcourt rotation, Wafer is no longer a lock to make the team.  He is seen to be competing with former UMASS standout, Tony Gaffney.

If Wafer is cut, Zhejiang will move to formally negotiate a deal with him first.  If Wafer remains a Celtic, however, the team will move onto Plan B, which is Alston.  Alston and the team have held talks, but remain apart on salary.  Alston has reportedly decided that he will be playing in the CBA this upcoming season, and will come to China to work out with Guangsha at the end of the month.

Interesting that the team prefers Wafer to Skip, given that he’s somewhat of a cult hero over here because of his association with And1 and the Rockets.  After losing out on Flip Murray, looks like Zhejiang will be getting a decent NBA consolation prize.

Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, Flip Murray and now Rafer Alston are all known to be talking to various CBA teams about playing in China next year.

According to this ESPN Star report, Alston is in discussions with Zhejiang.  The team’s GM, Ye Xiangyu, confirmed interest and shared that contact was made after Alston’s agent suggested the idea of playing in China to him.  Alston, like Francis, played with Yao Ming and the Rockets and is therefore widely known in China by both hardcore and moderate fans of the game.

Preferring to play in the NBA next year, Alston, who was suspended indefinitely by the Heat last March for reportedly going AWOL after being replaced in the starting lineup by Carlos Arroyo, finds himself without a contract or an invite to training camp one month before the season.

UPDATE: The Hoops Market says Alston is waiting for an offer from the Knicks.