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SCMP Reporter

Chinese basketballer Yi Jianlian is looking for a new team – just one day before the new NBA season begins.
He looks set to return to China after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
The official line is that Yi requested he be released after realising he wouldn’t have a prominent role immediately.
However, many were speculating that it was a face-saving move with the team looking likely to cut him after a poor pre-season.

Yi returned to the NBA last month after a four-year absence, agreeing to a contract that was heavily performance-weighted with the Lakers, who are coming off the worst season in their history.
The 2.13m power forward was the sixth overall pick in the 2007 draft before returning to China in 2012, becoming the domestic league’s dominant player.
He averaged 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds during the preseason.

“I think he wanted a bigger role, bigger minutes than we had available,” 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 was great while he was here. He proved that he belongs in this league.”
But it seems likely that Yi will now return to Guangdong Southern Tigers.
And there will not be any Chinese players in the NBA this season.
Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin were both picked in the last draft by the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies respectively, but neither made the starting rosters for the coming season.
Additional reporting: Associated Press


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NBA (National Basketball Association)

Chinese basketballer Yi Jianlian’s NBA comeback over before it begins as he quits LA Lakers on eve of new season

Los Angeles Lakers forward Yi Jianlian (11) looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Valley View Casino Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 21: Yi Jianlian #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to dribble around Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game at Honda Center on October 21, 2016 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Los Angeles Lakers forward Yi Jianlian (11) shoots over Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia, right, during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Olympic springboard: China basketball star Yi Jianlian signs up with NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers

Yi Jianlian in action for China against Serbia at the Rio Olympics. Photo: AFP

China's Yi Jianlian (11) drives around Australia's Kevin Lisch (11) during a men's basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Serbia's Nikola Jokic (14) grabs a rebound in front of China's Yi Jianlian (11) during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

On point: China’s Yi Jianlian is giving it a real shot for the Los Angeles Lakers

Yi Jianlian. Photo: AFP

CORRECTION - Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian meets the press during his introduction as a member of the NBA Los Angeles Lakers, at a workout in El Segundo, California, on September 16, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWN / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Frederic J. BROWN has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [El Segundo, California] instead of [Los Angeles]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further

Yi Jianlian of the 2016 Los Angeles Lakers waits smiles for the cameras during media day on September 26, 2016 in El Segundo, California ahead of the start of the 2016-17 NBA season. / AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWN

Sep 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers player Yi Jianlian (11) works out and is introduced to the media at the team's practice facility at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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The 2.13m forward requested to be released after realising he would be on the bench


Chinese basketballer Yi Jianlian’s NBA comeback over before it begins as he quits LA Lakers on eve of new season

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 2.13m forward requested to be released after realising he would be on the bench

The 2.13m forward requested to be released after realising he would be on the bench