Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Kenyon Martin will sign a deal with Xingiang Guanghui of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in what will be the largest contract in the league’s history, according to multiple reports. Martin’s one-year deal will pay him $2.65 million for the season, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports via Twitter.

The CBA instituted rules this summer not to allow players under NBA contract to sign with Chinese teams, as well as to forbid out-clauses in contracts that would let players return to the NBA once the lockout is lifted. In other words, Martin, a free agent after playing on the Nuggets since the 2004-05 season, will be in China for the duration of that league’s season. The CBA’s regular season ends Feb. 16 and the playoffs go through late March, the Denver Post notes.

“It’s a great opportunity for him to stay in shape and stay fresh,” Andy Miller, Martin’s agent, said, per the Post. “And it also gives him an opportunity to expand his name globally.”

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From AP:

Kenyon Martin becomes the third Denver Nuggets free agent to sign a contract to play in China this season.

Martin’s agent, Andy Miller, confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the 33-year-old forward has agreed to a deal with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association.

By doing so, Martin won’t be able to return to play in the NBA if there is a 2011-12 season. Owners have locked out the players in a labor dispute and the league has said players won’t be able to opt out of their deals to return to the NBA.

J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler also are playing in China.

Martin averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 2010-11. He missed the first 26 games as he recovered from surgery on his knee.