The post-Kobe Bryant era has officially started for the Los Angeles Lakers and with its new beginnings came the shocking $8 million signing of Yi Jianlian.

The Olympics are usually a showcase of the best talent the NBA has to offer for the casual fan, but for GMs around the league it has been a premiere front row seat to international prospects.

The ability to watch athletes playing highly-competitive games for their country is what has landed the likes of Carlos Arroyo, Luis Scola, and Manu Ginóbili into NBA rosters.

After an impressive Rio showing that saw Yi average a tournament 3rd-best 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in five games for China, the Lakers quickly pulled the trigger on a deal.

According to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, the $8 million deal is heavily based on incentives.

Yi is only guaranteed $250,000, but can get another $623,167 if he remains on the roster beyond Jan. 10 — earning $6,000 per day between the start of the season and the incentive deadline.

In other words, his base salary equates to $1.1 million.

But here comes the catch… after 19 games played Yi can earn $2.3 million per every 20 games played.

In order for the Chinese international to earn those $8 million, he'd have to play in a minimum of 59 games.

Because the contract is so incentive-heavy, it can make as a trade card for the Lakers or the team that receives him, as they can simply waive him and get out of the salary commitment.

With the NBA stretching its salary cap, teams are looking into more creative ways of making low-risk, high-reward moves that can keep them capable of big acquisitions.

As a warning, Yi has had a history of injury throughout his NBA career.

Furthermore, coaches and teammates have questioned his work ethic and dedication to the game, which has been a reason why he's been out of the NBA for the last four seasons.