Spurs' Blair to play in Russia during lockout
San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair(notes) has signed to play with Russia’s Krasnye Krylya Samara for the 2011-12 season, his agent told Yahoo! Sports on Friday.
Because he’s under contract with the Spurs, Blair’s deal has an out clause that allows him to return to the NBA this season should the league-imposed lockout ends, said his agent, Happy Walters.
Blair was motivated to sign so he can play meaningful minutes and stay in shape. He's also taken out an insurance policy to protect against injury.
Despite concerns over his knees when he left the University of Pittsburgh, Blair has played 163 of 164 regular season games for the Spurs in his first years in the NBA. Blair averaged 8.3 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes a game for the Spurs last season.
Krasnye Krylya’s roster for the 2011-12 season includes two former NBA players, Jarvis Hayes(notes) and Joe Alexander(notes).
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