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Lakers accept request, waive Yi
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CHINESE forward Yi Jianlian has been waived by the Los Angeles Lakers after requesting to be released, the National Basketball Association club announced on Monday.
Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said 7-footer Yi had sought to be waived over concerns he would not get enough minutes on court.
“Yi was productive in practices and games with us, and was a consummate professional both on and off the court,” Kupchak said in a statement. “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.
“We appreciate his efforts and wish him great success as he goes forward with his career,” Kupchak added.
Yi, who was chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks as the sixth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, had averaged 3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for the Lakers during six preseason contests.
The 28-year-old had targeted an NBA comeback after a four-year hiatus from the league. Ye signed a one-year deal in August with the Lakers for US$1.14 million which could have been worth up to US$8 million with incentives and bonuses.
“I think he wanted a bigger role, bigger minutes than we had available,” new Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “He was really going to have to outplay everybody to get big minutes because of the players we need to develop, and he did a great job. He proved that he belongs in this league.”
The native Cantonese-speaking Yi played in China with the Guangdong Southern Tigers from 2012-2016 and was the cornerstone for the Chinese national team at the Rio Olympics.
When the Lakers return from the worst season in franchise history against the Houston Rockets tomorrow, they’ll do it with Metta World Peace on their roster for the second straight season after his NBA career appeared over. Kupchak acknowledges he didn’t expect World Peace to make the team again this year, but the former Ron Artest continues to provide veteran stability and defensive ability.
World Peace begins his 17th NBA season this week, and he credits his longevity to a personal reawakening in his mid-30s. After living a “very reckless” lifestyle, World Peace embraced a healthy existence and gained a cerebral understanding of his role with the Lakers.
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