As was reported Wednesday night, it looks like the Lakers are bringing 7'0" power forward Yi Jianlian back to the NBA.
Nothing has been confirmed by the Lakers, but multiple reports out of China now say that the deal is done.
Chinese power forward Yi Jianlian is set for an @NBA comeback w/ a $1.14 mln deal sealed w/ @Lakers: sources pic.twitter.com/ccRRtIu3zF
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) August 17, 2016
Tencent NBA, the Chinese website, says Yi Jianlian deal is done. Vets minimum. https://t.co/DI4dtXNflH
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) August 17, 2016
Marc Stein of ESPN (who broke the story) also had this statement from Guangdong Southern Tigers, Yi’s team in China.
Those financial figures seem to be low (which makes sense, Yi made $3 million in China, a veteran minimum deal would be a steep play cut). From Marc Stein:
Yi Jianlian update: ESPN sources say the Lakers are now in the midst of finalizing a one-year deal in the $8 million range w/the China star.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 17, 2016
Yi was the be best player on a weak Chinese team in Rio, averaging 20.4 points on 16.4 shots per game. Jianlian relied too much on the long two and never developed NBA three-point range in his five NBA seasons (the last one in 2012). He was then a below replacement level player.
The fit is a little odd — Yi is a 7'0" power forward. The Lakers will start Julius Randle there, then both Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance could spend time there as small-ball fours. Maybe the Lakers see Yi as a solid reserve, and it is just a one-year deal, but they had better not be taking minutes away from developing their young players to get him run.
