Stephon Marbury considersers his o options after end of an era

What now for Stephon Marbury?

The two- time NBA All- Star and three- time CBA champion turned 40 earlier this year, but has declared his intention to play one more year before hanging up his sneakers.

Marbury split with the Beijing Ducks last week, after the two sides failed to reach agreement on his role – and salary – going forward, but his pedigree should ensure he has plenty of options for next season.

Loved by Beijingers, the most obvious destination for the American is the one he’s already in – crossing town to play for the capital’s other team, the Beikong Fly Dragons, who have made slow, but steady, improvements since joining the league as an expansion side three seasons ago.

Marbury made his CBA debut with the Shanxi Brave Dragons in 2009 after 13 years in the NBA, and while he also played a season with the Foshan Longlions, it was during a six- year stint in Beijing that Marbury really made his mark, not just in China, but perhaps in his career as a whole.

After winning the first of his three championships in 2012, the Ducks unveiled a bronze statue of their best player, and the New Yorker also appeared on a set of stamps and earned himself a Chinese “green card” in return for his service.

His turnaround from NBA zero to CBA hero has been well documented, but there is still time for history to write an epic final chapter to his career.

The Shenzhen Leopards and Shandong Golden Stars have both been mentioned as possible destinations for Marbury’s final year in the league, but not only would he have to settle in a new city, his relationship with a new set of fans would have to grow from scratch.

One final option presents itself if no team is able to match the contract that Marbury and his agent clearly feel his oncourt skills still deserve.

With China’s national team now split in two for the next two years, each side has been promised foreign assistant coaches to support two Chinese head coaches. His lack of coaching experience would undoubtedly make him a risky choice, but his leadership presence on the court is without question and he knows the national team players far better than any outside appointment would.

While his first choice is to keep playing, Marbury may be forced instead to take a sideline role – and if that is the case, Team China would be the most fitting option of all.