Hansbrough signed a contract to play for the Sichuan Blue Whales on Thursday, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old will spend his third straight season playing in China, making it even more unlikely that he will resurface in the NBA. Hansbrough's last NBA action came during the 2015-16 season, when he averaged 2.4 points and 2.0 points in 7.8 minutes per game over 44 appearances.

Hansbrough agreed to a contract Friday with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hansbrough will head to the CBA for a second straight season after spending the 2017-18 campaign with the Guangzhou Long-Lions. As an undersized 32-year-old forward who hasn't exhibited much floor-stretching ability during his professional career, Hansbrough seems unlikely to resurface in the NBA again. He last appeared in the league in 2015-16 with the Hornets, suiting up in 44 games and averaging 2.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per contest.

Hansbrough has signed a deal to play for China's Guangzhou Lions, freelance reporter David Pick reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hansbrough spent last season with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G-League, seemingly in an attempt to make an NBA comeback. However, despite posting 17.6 points and 12.2 rebounds across 33.4 minutes per game, it appears that either NBA teams opted to pass on him or sent him low-ball offers. It seems doubtful at this point that 31-year-old "Psycho T" will end up back in the association considering he's struggled to develop a jumpshot to make himself a priority for teams in the modern, three-point happy NBA.

Hansbrough has been ruled out of Sunday's Game 7 against the Heat because of back spasms.

EDGE Analysis

Hansbrough has appeared in just two games so far during the playoffs, notching a total of five combined minutes over those contests. He'll get the night off again Sunday, as he's dealing with back spasms. Hansbrough wasn't in the regular rotation, so it shouldn't affect the Hornets' lineup much, if at all.

Hansbrough (coach's decision) didn't play in Tuesday's 115-103 loss to the Heat in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.

EDGE Analysis

Though Hansbrough was called upon to play four minutes in the Game 1 loss, his run came in garbage time when the Heat held a comfortable lead. With the Game 2 margin of defeat being a little closer, coach Steve Clifford had no need to turn to Hansbrough, who remains behind Cody Zeller, Marvin Williams, Al Jefferson, Frank Kaminsky, and Spencer Hawes on the frontcourt depth chart.

Hansbrough (coach's decision) didn't see the floor in Monday's 91-88 win over the Spurs.

EDGE Analysis

Hansbrough may have gotten some run had the Hornets not mounted a 23-point comeback, but his status as a deep bench player once again kept him glued to the bench. He's appeared in just five of the Hornets' 12 March games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds over 4.6 minutes.

Hansbrough has appeared in just one of the Hornets' last five games, playing a total of two minutes.

EDGE Analysis

Unsurprisingly, Hansbrough was dropped from coach Steve Clifford's rotation when Cody Zeller (shoulder) returned to action Feb. 3, as the 30-year-old now ranks behind Zeller, Marvin Williams, Frank Kaminsky, and Spencer Hawes in the rotation of big men. The Hornets' frontcourt will only get more crowded once Al Jefferson (knee) is back in the fold in the second half, which will likely limit Hansbrough's appearances to mop-up duty in blowout contests.

Hansbrough registered 12 points (2-5 FG, 8-10 FT), 14 rebounds, two steals and a block over 23 minutes in Friday's 109-91 loss to the Trail Blazers.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old played over 20 minutes for the third consecutive game, but put together a stat line he had otherwise not come close to matching to date this season. Hansbrough set season highs across the stat sheet, with his scoring total largely boosted by his 10 visits to the charity stripe. The seven-year veteran's boost in playing time has been directly tied in to the depleted condition of the Hornets' frontcourt, but he could well be reduced to an array of single-digit allotments or DNPs once the likes of Cody Zeller (shoulder) and Al Jefferson (knee) return to full health.

Hansbrough (coach's decision) didn't see the floor in Monday's 124-119 double-overtime win against the Jazz.

EDGE Analysis

Hansbrough doesn't usually play unless a given game isn't closely contested or if one or more of the Hornets' big men happens to be dealing with foul trouble. He's appeared in three of the team's last eight games, logging a total of 11 minutes.

Hansbrough has appeared in each of the Hornets' last four games, averaging 3.8 points and 1.8 rebounds over 6.8 minutes.

EDGE Analysis

After going unused off the bench for much of the season, Hansbrough's entry into the Hornets' rotation has corresponded with Al Jefferson hitting the shelf with a strained left calf. Despite the upgrade, Hansbrough still ranks fifth on the depth chart among the team's frontcourt players, so an uptick in playing time from this modest level doesn't seem to be in the offing.