LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Lakers announced that they waived Chinese forward/center Yi Jianlian this Monday morning, upon Yi's request.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Yi Jianlian (11) warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Valley View Casino Center. [Photo/Agencies] |
"Yi was productive in practices and games with us, and was a consummate professional both on and off the court," Lakers' General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in the press release. "However, he felt that the minutes and opportunities he'd be afforded here were not in line with his goals and ambitions, and that he'd be better off in a different situation."
The Los Angeles Times revealed that Yi expressed his desire to look elsewhere in a phone conservation with the Lakers on Sunday.
"We appreciate his efforts and wish him great success as he goes forward with his career," Kupchak said.
Yi didn't made any statement yet about whether he would try to join another NBA team or return to the CBA.
A native of Guangdong Province, Yi competed for China at the Summer Games in Rio averaging 20.4 points and grabbing 6.6 rebounds. He also shot over 46 percent from three-point range. That included a stellar individual effort against the NBA All-Star-filled USA team where Yi dropped 25 and six boards on them in the Olympics, including two three-pointers.
Yi had prior experience in the NBA. Drafted as the 6th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2007, Yi last appeared in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011-2012 season. Over his five-year NBA career, the forward averaged 7.9 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game.
The Lakers also waived forward Anthony Brown on Monday, which means Metta World Peace and Thomas Robinson made the team's season-opening roster.
The Lakers will host the Houston Rockets on Oct. 26 to open its 2016-2017 season.
