Yi Jianlian’s Lakers stint over before it starts – report

MANILA, Philippines – Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian has requested for his release from the Los Angeles Lakers, according to an ESPN report by Marc Stein citing “league sources.”

The move will be formally made on Monday, October 24 according to the report, with Jianlian’s role in the post-Kobe Bryant team not being what he had expected cited as the reason. The Lakers still must cut one more player by Monday to widdle down to the 15-man roster.

The 28-year-old 7-footer had signed a reported one-year, $8 million deal with the Lakers in August to return to the NBA, where he played for several teams from 2007-2012. Prior to signing with the Lakers, Jianlian had played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association and led the Chinese national team to the 2015 FIBA Asia championship in Changsha, China and a berth in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Jianlian had averaged 3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game in 6 preseason appearances for the Lakers according to FoxSports after norming 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 5 games at the Summer Olympics in August.

(WATCH: Andray Blatche, Yi Jianlian eat Chinese food in throwback video)

Jianlian was originally drafted 6th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2007 and had played for the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks as well. He had averaged 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 272 regular season NBA games. – Rappler.com