Lakers Rumors: L.A. ‘Tried To Lure’ Yi Jianlian Back To NBA

Dan Duangdao
1 Min Read
Dallas Mavericks forward Yi Jianlian of China enters the game in the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta, Georgia April 26, 2012. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

During free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Roy Hibbert and signed Lou Williams and Brandon Bass. With the first preseason game not until Oct. 4 in Hawaii, the team recently signed Jonathan Holmes and have reportedly agreed to terms with Michael Frazier.

With the Lakers preparing for the 2015-16 season, David Pick shares the team ‘tried to lure’ Yi Jianlian back to the NBA this off-season:

At the 2007 NBA Draft, Yi was selected seventh overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, but was eventually traded to the New Jersey Nets the following season. Although he averaged 12.0 points and 7.2 rebounds during the 2009-10 season, he struggled with minutes at his next two stops.

After appearing in 30 games for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2011-12 season, Yi has since played in China where he has won three CBA titles. Appearing in 45 games for Guangdong, Yi averaged 27.7 points on 57.5 percent shooting and 10.9 rebounds.

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Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.