CHICAGO - Is Greg Slaughter on his way out of the Japan B2 League?
Signs appear to be pointing toward that direction.
A Japan-based agent told me over the phone that the Fukuoka Rizing Zephyr have, for the last six weeks, been trying to negotiate a buyout that will pave the way for the release of the 7-foot, 256-pound center.
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The reason behind the impending divorce still isn't clear, but Slaughter's numbers in his new league haven't beem eye-popping.
The 34-year old Slaughter, the No.1 overall pick in the 2013 PBA Draft, played in 17 of his team's 25 games. He was either injured or logged a DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) in the other eight contests.
Fukuoka went 6-11 in the games Slaughter played and 10-15 overall, which is 11th in the overall standings.
Slaughter, who last played in the PBA with the NorthPort Batang Pier in 2021 after being traded from Ginebra for Christian Stanhardinger, averaged 3.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while logging only 10.6 minutes a game.
IN SEARCH OF A SPARK
Desperate to re-energize a spiraling season, the Rizing Zephyr are said to be actively looking for a replacement Asian import who can account for more production.
Although he was originally signed to a two-year deal last July, Slaughter's second year is a player/team option, sources said.
Unlike the NBA where an option belongs either to the player or the team, in the B.League both sides have the option to buy out the other side.

Which means if Slaughter had overperformed, he could buy out the second year of his contract and renegotiate for a bigger deal.
Conversely, Fukuoka has the option to buy out the second year of his deal for a nominal fee worth between $5,000 to $10,000, league sources added.
The current 2022-23 season lasts until June, so if a buyout is agreed upon, Slaughter could get up to two to three months worth of paychecks once he exits.
If a separation is eventually finalized, Slaughter has plenty of options left in a decorated career that includes a PBA Rookie of the Year plum, four PBA championships and five All-Star appearances.
THIS TIME, THOUGH, THE PBA IS A HIGHLY UNLIKELY DESTINATION
Multiple league sources told me that Slaughter's falling out with the Gin Kings which prompted Slaughter to take a sabbatical in the U.S. had angered SMC director Alfrancis Chua to a point where that bridge may have been burned for good.
Chua, in the slight chance that you don't know yet, is widely recognized as the most powerful man in the league.
Korea and Taiwan are possibilities as well but staying in Japan and sliding down to the B3 makes more sense because he is already settled there and has a working visa.
Wherever that landing spot may be, here's wishing Greg all the best.
I believe he has plenty left in the tank.
And given the right system and ideal situation Slaughter can still establish himself as a force in the middle as shown in his Fukuoka stint where he nailed 52.8 percent of his field goals.
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