The Los Angeles Lakers need to cut down their roster to 15 players before Monday’s deadline at 5 p.m. It appears Yi Jianlian may have made the decision a bit easier on the team by asking to be released, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:
ESPN sources say Yi Jianlian, after talks with the team Sunday, has asked to be released by the Lakers and will be formally waived Monday.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 24, 2016
Throughout his short time with the Lakers, Yi struggled to prove his worth to Luke Walton and company. Although Jianlian’s skill set is unique as a seven-footer who can stretch the floor, the Chinese star couldn’t put it together during the preseason and was on the roster bubble heading toward the deadline.
As for why Jianlian asked to be released, Stein shed light on the decision to part ways:
When the role Yi expected with the Lakers did not materialize after he left China, sources say he and his reps asked the team to let him go
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 24, 2016
Now the Lakers brass will have to choose between two players for the final spot. Metta World Peace and Thomas Robinson are the last ones standing on the roster bubble with the scales seemingly tilting in Robinson’s direction.