Report: Carlos Boozer receiving interest from China, still hopes to stay in NBA

With no team yet offering a new contract to unrestricted free agent Carlos Boozer this summer, the 33-year-old veteran may be forced to explore options overseas for the coming year.

Several Chinese teams, including the Sichuan Blue Whales, have expressed interest in signing the 6-foot-9 power forward, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. Boozer, though, is still holding out hope that he'll find an NBA home before the season.

The 13-year-pro spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 71 games (26 of which he started). His role diminished near the end of the year, registering nine DNP's in the final 14 games. Though head coach Byron Scott said there was no real thought process behind which of his forwards he'd play from one game to the next, Boozer seemed to be the odd man out.

The Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs were all linked to Boozer at one point in time, but all ultimately put their cap space to use elsewhere, passing on a big whose poor defensive reputation precedes him.

Boozer remains a sound mid-range shooter - nailing 50.4 percent of his shots from 10-14 feet in 2014 - and he can still give a team double-digit rebounds on any given night.

Boozer has made two All-Star teams since being drafted 35th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2002. He's averaged 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds in 861 career outings for the Lakers, Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, and Chicago Bulls.