Yi Jianlian hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2011-12 season, but that hasn’t stopped one team from showing interest in bringing him back to the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers are that team, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in advanced discussions to try to bring China star Yi Jianlian back to the NBA, according to league sources.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 17, 2016
Despite arriving to the United States as a highly touted prospect drafted sixth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2007, the now-28-year-old forward never became a quality pro player. He averaged just 2.6 points per game for the Dallas Mavericks in his final NBA season.
This move doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense for the Lakers, who would be better served giving Jianlian’s potential playing time to younger, better players who need to develop.
Jianlian most recently has played for China in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports Images
