Yi Jianlian's return to the NBA may be on hold for now.
Reports indicate that, per Jianlian's request, the Los Angeles Lakers will release the Chinese star so that he can explore other opportunities.
After talks with team officials on Sunday, China star Yi Jianlian has asked the Los Angeles Lakers for his release, according to league sources.
“Sources told ESPN.com that with the Lakers facing roster cut-down decisions by Monday at 5 p.m. ET, Yi and his representatives requested that the Lakers let him go to pursue other opportunities, largely because the role he envisioned in L.A. didn't materialize.”
In waiving Jianlian, the Lakers still will need to release one more player to get down to the limit of 15. ESPN's Marc Stein also reports that there's a good chance both Metta World Peace and Thomas Robinson will make the final cut.
Jianlian had a good showing in the Rio Olympics and signed an interesting deal with the Lakers shortly after.
“After his strong play with China in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Yi was signed by the Lakers in August to a one-year, $8 million deal that was uniquely structured, featuring $6.8 million in what the league deemed “likely” bonuses.
But the defined role Yi expected when he agreed to leave the Guangdong Southern Tigers in his native China — with minutes at both power forward and center — didn't pan out as he had hoped this month, prompting the 28-year-old to seek his release.”
We'll see if Yi is seeking another NBA team to take a chance on him or if he plans to just return to China and play professionally there.
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